Ongoing debate: Real Snakes in the Theater in AZ

"The 'Snakes on a Plane' in a theater debate rages on in Phoenix. The slithery debate has all of Phoenix buzzing as police and snake experts differ on exactly what happened and how a baby diamondback rattlesnake made its way into a theater complex where the film 'Snakes on a Plane' was being shown.

Snakes on a Plane in a Theater DebateThis much is agreed on. There were not two snakes in the theater as originally reported on Phoenix television. There was one snake in the theater and another in the parking lot of the AMC complex at Tatum and the 101 Freeway in North Phoenix.

*** The National Ledger talked to several Phoenix police officers on Tuesday and the consensus from the department is that one snake was captured by an off-duty female officer in the hallway of the theater complex.She was working on security detail and on site when the incident occured.The baby rattler was literally scooped up with a broom and dustpan and placed in a Tupperware container, Officer Stacie Derge told TNL. The officer on the scene then called the Arizona Herpetological Association and they took the baby rattler.Officers believe that the snake may have entered the complex on its own, perhaps from a construction site nearby.

*** That theory was scoffed at by snake experts. The consensus from those that handle snakes for a living is that the snake was likely placed in the building, perhaps being brought into the cinema in a container placed in a backpack or purse.The theory is that no baby snake could make it across traffic from the construction site and into a building where all of the doors are closed unless people are entering the building. Handlers called it a reckless and dangerous stunt, and if the snake was brought in by a moviegoer they would be correct.

*** The National Ledger also spoke with AMC on Tuesday and they told us that they recognize the release of the film Snakes on a Plane has generated a lot of attention. The spokesperson called the situation an "isolated incident that occurred this weekend at a Phoenix theatre was taken care of immediately and none of our guests were harmed. We hope our guests will continue to respect their fellow moviegoers by not engaging in any disruptive activities during the film and, as always, AMC takes steps that are both proactive and cautionary to ensure the safety and security of our guests and associates." *** The incident has dominated local news now for nearly 24 hours as stories seem to continually change and reports vary. But the general consensus of those interviewed the AMC Desert Ridge 18 theatre was that the whole incident was a little scary and very creepy."

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