Brooding swan kidnapped

A 28-year old man from Lieshout was arrested Thursday afternoon in Helmond after it appeared that he took a brooding swan from the Warande nature area. After investigation from the Animal Police, a second man, 28 from Lierop, was also arrested in relation to the case, Omroep Brabant reports. The theft was witnessed by a group of youths, who saw the swan being taken from her nest and thrown in the back of a van. The police was called, who were able to find and apprehend the man from Lieshout on the basis of the number plate of the van. There were feathers in the van, and the Mute Swan was located near the home of the suspect. The bird was placed in a small crate, and was still alive. The suspect wanted to sell the swan, he explained at the police station. He has a record for animal cruelty, and was put in a cell. The second suspect was arrested in Lierop on Friday morning. The 28-year old man is also thought to have had a hand in the kidnapping of the swan. After a hearing he was sent home, but his involvement is still being investigated. The swan is now back in the Warande nature area, with the male swan.