St. Pete Beach business owners arrested in mothball mystery

• Over two days in April, the men scattered 1,500 of the toxic pellets on the sand behind the Plaza Beach Hotel, where black skimmers were trying to establish a nesting colony, FWC Maj. Evan Laskowski said during a news conference. No birds were harmed due to quick clean-up efforts.
• Czyszczon owns the resort, Laskowski said. Monroe owns and manages Chris' Beachside Bar, which is located on the Plaza property.
• They each face a felony charge of littering for commercial purposes and a misdemeanor count of attempt to take threatened shorebird species. "Take" means to harass, harm or kill wildlife, per state rules.

Zoom in: Investigators obtained video surveillance footage and receipts from a local Walmart indicating that Czyszczon bought "a large quantity of mothballs" the day before they ended up on the beach, Laskowski said.

• Investigators found what Laskowski said were "incriminating text messages" between Czyszczon and Monroe.
• In one text, the men indicated they were losing $25,000-$50,000 due to the colony's presence, Capt. Matthew Dallarosa said.
• Cellphone tower data also placed the men on the beach both nights the mothballs appeared.

The other side: Czyszczon and Laskowski couldn't be reached for comment Wednesday evening at phone numbers listed for them and their businesses.