Posted Tuesday, February 5, 2013 --- 6:45 p.m.

WEST ALLIS, Wis. (AP) -- Police say a man stole a snake in a Milwaukee suburb and left his son behind.

It happened Saturday during the Great Lakes Pet Expo at the Wisconsin State Fair Park in West Allis.

Cindy Steinle runs the reptile exhibit and told WISN-TV in Milwaukee that a volunteer gave the corn snake to the child to hold, and the child handed it to the father, who then left by himself.

The police arrested the man later after spotting him carrying a moving pillowcase.

WISN-TV reports the boy is back with his mother and the snake, which is worth $40, was returned.

The park's police Lt. David Umhoefer says the case may go to the district attorney's office later this week. He didn't know the child's age.

Copyright 2013: Associated Press