CAUGHT ON CAMERA: Two former Gator Country employees accused of burglary, stealing snakes

CAUGHT ON CAMERA: Two former Gator Country employees accused of burglary, stealing snakes by Scott Lawrence, Aaron Mack Wed, November 11, 2026 at 9:24 PM Updated Thu, November 12, 2026 at 7:04 AM 4 VIEW ALL PHOTOS CAUGHT ON CAMERA: Two former Gator Country employees accused of burglary, stealing snakes. (credit: Gary Saurage) Comment on this story 0 Comment Share story Share topics: Gator Country Burglary Snakes Surveillance Fannett Edward Hanhart Charles Holder Jefferson County FANNETT — Betrayed and disappointed. Gary Saurage, the longtime owner of Gator Country, is sharing his feelings about a man who had been a trusted employee, and a former intern, both accused of breaking into the popular venue in Fannett and stealing reptiles--not alligators but snakes 22-year-old Edward Hanhart, a longtime employee and park manager who lived on the property, and 23-year-old Charles Holder, a former intern, are both charged with burglary of a building. Hanhart surrendered Tuesday in Jefferson County, according to Saurage, and Holder was arrested last Friday in Brazoria County. He says the two men were part of the Gator Country family. Saurage shared surveillance video taken July 24, showing what he says are the two workers breaking into the area that houses snakes. He tells us at least five non-venomous snakes were taken with the goal of selling them. Saurage got back some of the snakes, but the anger and disappointment remain. Gator Country in Fannett has been a staple in Southeast Texas for years. A family-friendly environment where owner Gary Saurage considers his staff like family. July 24, he says, a longtime employee and an intern betrayed his trust. “My daughter, who runs Gator Country, came in about that same time and goes, ‘Dad, we don't have any. We don't have any holding animals, like the animals we let our customers hold.’ He said, ‘They're almost all of them are gone.’ I said, ‘What? We couldn't understand what happened,’” said Saurage. Saurage and his wife, Shannon, were in Mississippi for a Gator Country "On the Road Show." When they checked the cameras back home, they were shocked to see a break-in. “One of our longtime employees, one of a kid that I literally helped raise from eight years old, came in with another past intern and stole a lot of animals. He took a lot of aquariums,” said Saurage. Saurage says 22-year-old Edward Hanhart, the longtime employee and park manager at the time, and former intern 23-year-old Charles Holder were the ones caught on camera taking snakes and aquariums, allegedly selling them to different stores to make money. “He was very close to our family. Like you just said it, right? I mean, he truly... and I felt like for him, like he was my son. And to be betrayed like that, just absolutely unbelievable,” said Saurage. Not all of the missing snakes have been returned, but he credits the Pet Den in Nederland and Lizard Lounge in Vidor with working to help get some of their animals back. “Pet Den did bring those back the next day and say, ‘Hey, look, I just heard about this. You know, here's your five of your animals back.’ There were several more that we did know of that we still don't have back to this day,” said Saurage. "The show will go on." Fans will be entertained, but Saurage says the one thing that won't come back is his faith and trust in those former employees. Trending GLP-1 weight loss drugs can cause blindness GLP-1 weight loss drugs can cause blindness Mobile dog groomer, puppy found dead in van on Far Northwest Side Mobile dog groomer, puppy found dead in van on Far Northwest Side Elderly man killed in violent T-bone crash on Far North Side Elderly man killed in violent T-bone crash on Far North Side Veterans Day freebies: Where to score free meals, treats and special deals in San Antonio Veterans Day freebies: Where to score free meals, treats and special deals in San Antonio Family of five killed after SUV leaves wet I-10 overpass in Seguin, parents identified Rain-slicked IH-10 in Seguin turned deadly when a Chevrolet Tahoe left an overpass near FM 725, killing a Porter family of five, including three children. FM 725 was shut for hours as police investigate. NEWS IN PHOTOS: " Local " 3 NEW TODAY: Mother accused of killing two children, setting SUV on fire returns to court 4 NEW Texas boy goes viral for singing 'God Bless America' to a bald eagle 14 Mobile dog groomer, puppy found dead in van on Far Northwest Side 11 Wembanyama, Harper power Spurs past Bulls 124-119 for 10th straight win