ST. PAUL — A flock of elite racing and breeding pigeons has been stolen from the backyard of a home in St. Paul’s Como neighborhood.

Owner John Kaiyalethe said 45 pigeons were taken this week by someone who broke the lock on their lofts. Kaiyalethe said the birds are worth more than $20,000, including his prize breeder, the Godfather, which alone is valued at more than $10,000.

The 27-year-old medical technologist said the thief who took the pigeons apparently was familiar with the hobby because two less valuable birds were left behind. Kaiyalethe said the theft might be connected to another one recently in Gem Lake. Pigeon breeder Fred Macalus had 10 breeding birds, worth about $17,000, stolen from his property.