Latest news with #Edds
USA Today
22-05-2025
- USA Today
Bench warrant issued for alleged serial cat killer in California
Bench warrant issued for alleged serial cat killer in California Alejandro Oliveros Acosta is accused of luring over 20 cats with food, and then beating them to death, according to the Orange County District Attorney's Office. Show Caption Hide Caption 4 teens cited in fatal stomping of coyote in Chicago Four teenagers have been cited with killing a coyote in Chicago. Fox - 32 Chicago A man whom officials suspect of killing up to 20 cats in a Southern California neighborhood was a no-show during his arraignment hearing this week and is now considered at-large. Alejandro Oliveros Acosta, 46, was arrested April 23 and charged with two felony counts of cruelty to animals, one felony count of grand theft of a companion animal and one misdemeanor count of possession of a controlled substance, according to the Orange County District Attorney's Office. Acosta, a Santa Ana resident, had been free on $40,0000 bond and was set to appear in court on May 21 but did not appear for the hearing, Kimberly Edds, a spokesperson for the prosecutor's office, confirmed to USA TODAY. The charges stem from a string of cases in the nearby cities of Santa Ana and Westminster, including one involving a woman's stolen cat, Edds said. The cases also involve a police investigation into reports of nearly two dozen dead and severely injured cats being found in the vicinity of where Acosta lived. The cities are about 10 miles apart. A stolen Bengal Lynx cat named Clubber Investigators looking into the stolen cats reported a male Bengal Lynx named Clubber was taken on March 21 from outside a home in the Westminster neighborhood. "There is video of him, with what appears to be cat food, and he is seen luring the cat to him and taking it," Edds said about Acosta. According to Edds, the cat was returned to the owner about one week later. Additional details about the case were not provided, but KTLA-TV reported that police received a tip that the 10-month-old cat was found safe at a Santa Ana home and returned to its owner. Alleged serial cat killer on the run The second case, under investigation by the Santa Ana Police Department, involved reports of dead and injured cats, officials said they believe Acosta is responsible for. "Between November and April, police investigated seven different reports of dead or severely injured cats in the vicinity of where (Acosta) lived," Edds said. In late April, investigators identified Acosta as a suspect in both cases, and following an interview with him at the Santa Ana police station, they found probable cause to arrest him, Edds said. Police arrested Acosta on April 24, and shortly after the arrest, officials said he posted a $40,000 bond. When Acosta failed to appear for arraignment, Superior Court Judge Stephen J. McGreevy issued a bench warrant for his arrest and raised his bond to $50,000, Santa Ana police Officer Natalie Garcia told USA TODAY. Officials told USA TODAY that Acosta remains at large as of May 22. 'Jet fuel all over': Small plane crashes into San Diego neighborhood, fatalities reported Police seek more information about Alejandro Acosta It was not immediately known whether Acosta had obtained legal counsel as of May 22. The cases remain under investigation, police and prosecutors said. Anyone with information is asked to call Santa Ana police at 714-245-8049 or Westminster police at Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at nalund@ and follow her on X @nataliealund.
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Yahoo
Alleged Santa Ana killer of up to 20 cats skips arraignment hearing. He now faces an arrest warrant
A Santa Ana man charged with animal cruelty in the killing and maiming of as many as 20 cats, drawing loud public outcry, skipped his arraignment hearing Wednesday morning, according to authorities who have issued a warrant for his arrest. Alejandro Oliveros Acosta, 46, was charged Monday with two felony counts of cruelty to animals, one felony count of grand theft of a companion animal and one misdemeanor count of possession of a controlled substance. He was due in an Orange County Superior Court hearing that at least 25 animal activists were expected to attend Wednesday, the Orange County district attorney's office said. But he didn't show up for the hearing. His bail of $40,000 has been forfeited. The district attorney's office attempted to increase that total to $100,000 on Wednesday, said Kimberly Edds, public information officer for the district attorney, who called Acosta an 'immense danger.' Prior to Wednesday, Acosta faced a maximum sentence of five years and four months if convicted on all counts, according to the district attorney's office. 'This is obviously a case of horrific violence and we really appreciate the support of the community,' Edds said. She added that an animal abuse specialist would be prosecuting the case. The Times was unable to find a representative for Acosta, who was initially arrested April 23 by Santa Ana and Westminster police. Authorities believe Acosta was behind the deaths of several neighborhood cats. In the motion to increase the bail, Deputy Dist. Atty. Danica Drotman wrote that Acosta "admitted to killing approximately 20 cats and hanging in a tree approximately two to three cats." Authorities said they found carcasses at his home during his arrest. Read more: Protest near home of suspect in serial cat killings leads to vandalism; police urge calm Seven reports of dead and injured cats were filed with Santa Ana Animal Control, including animals suffering from broken backs and bloody faces, all near Acosta's home, between November and April. Police have said that several pet owners have positively identified Acosta as the man who had lured cats away from their homes. Edds emphasized, however, that the investigation was still active and that additional witnesses were encouraged to contact the Santa Ana or Westminster police departments. Westminster police are involved in the investigation because one of the felony charges against Acosta relates to the theft on March 21 of a Bengal Lynx cat named Clubber from Eva Corlew of Westminster. Video surveillance appeared to show a man with a can of food luring the cat before grabbing the animal and driving away in a white Toyota Tacoma pickup truck. Clubber was eventually reunited with his owner, safely. Read more: Serial cat killer suspect arrested, potentially linked to a dozen-plus slayings, authorities say Authorities allege that Acosta was also seen by a neighbor grabbing a cat and slamming it over his head April 3. Drotman wrote in the criminal complaint that Acosta maimed, mutilated and tortured that cat. Two days later, Acosta was seen on video surveillance stomping on a cat, according to the district attorney's office. His home became a flashpoint as it drew a 100-person 'Vigil for Justice,' in April, including pet owners and community and animal groups. The gathering was advertised on social media as a peaceful protest but it turned violent. A video from Fox 11 news showed at least one protester trying to wrench open a gate blocking a driveway. Others in the crowd shook a wooden fence and shouted at the residence using bullhorns. One protester appeared to spray an aerosol onto the property. Santa Ana Police said some protesters threw objects at a pair of homes, one where Acosta lived and another that belonged to a family member that the crowd believed was hiding him. Santa Ana Police confirmed that Acosta was not at either home at the time of the protest. Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Los Angeles Times
22-05-2025
- Los Angeles Times
Alleged Santa Ana killer of up to 20 cats skips arraignment hearing. He now faces an arrest warrant
A Santa Ana man charged with animal cruelty in the killing and maiming of as many as 20 cats, drawing loud public outcry, skipped his arraignment hearing Wednesday morning, according to authorities who have issued a warrant for his arrest. Alejandro Oliveros Acosta, 46, was charged Monday with two felony counts of cruelty to animals, one felony count of grand theft of a companion animal and one misdemeanor count of possession of a controlled substance. He was due in an Orange County Superior Court hearing that at least 25 animal activists were expected to attend Wednesday, the Orange County district attorney's office said. But he didn't show up for the hearing. His bail of $40,000 has been forfeited. The district attorney's office attempted to increase that total to $100,000 on Wednesday, said Kimberly Edds, public information officer for the district attorney, who called Acosta an 'immense danger.' Prior to Wednesday, Acosta faced a maximum sentence of five years and four months if convicted on all counts, according to the district attorney's office. 'This is obviously a case of horrific violence and we really appreciate the support of the community,' Edds said. She added that an animal abuse specialist would be prosecuting the case. The Times was unable to find a representative for Acosta, who was initially arrested April 23 by Santa Ana and Westminster police. Authorities believe Acosta was behind the deaths of several neighborhood cats. In the motion to increase the bail, Deputy Dist. Atty. Danica Drotman wrote that Acosta 'admitted to killing approximately 20 cats and hanging in a tree approximately two to three cats.' Authorities said they found carcasses at his home during his arrest. Seven reports of dead and injured cats were filed with Santa Ana Animal Control, including animals suffering from broken backs and bloody faces, all near Acosta's home, between November and April. Police have said that several pet owners have positively identified Acosta as the man who had lured cats away from their homes. Edds emphasized, however, that the investigation was still active and that additional witnesses were encouraged to contact the Santa Ana or Westminster police departments. Westminster police are involved in the investigation because one of the felony charges against Acosta relates to the theft on March 21 of a Bengal Lynx cat named Clubber from Eva Corlew of Westminster. Video surveillance appeared to show a man with a can of food luring the cat before grabbing the animal and driving away in a white Toyota Tacoma pickup truck. Clubber was eventually reunited with his owner, safely. Authorities allege that Acosta was also seen by a neighbor grabbing a cat and slamming it over his head April 3. Drotman wrote in the criminal complaint that Acosta maimed, mutilated and tortured that cat. Two days later, Acosta was seen on video surveillance stomping on a cat, according to the district attorney's office. His home became a flashpoint as it drew a 100-person 'Vigil for Justice,' in April, including pet owners and community and animal groups. The gathering was advertised on social media as a peaceful protest but it turned violent. A video from Fox 11 news showed at least one protester trying to wrench open a gate blocking a driveway. Others in the crowd shook a wooden fence and shouted at the residence using bullhorns. One protester appeared to spray an aerosol onto the property. Santa Ana Police said some protesters threw objects at a pair of homes, one where Acosta lived and another that belonged to a family member that the crowd believed was hiding him. Santa Ana Police confirmed that Acosta was not at either home at the time of the protest.
