Latest news with #SantaAnaAnimalControl
Newsweek
23-05-2025
- Newsweek
'Serial Cat Killer' Sparks Warning for California Pet Owners
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. California prosecutors have asked the court to increase the bail of a man accused of killing multiple cats due to the "danger" he poses to public safety after he didn't show up for his arraignment earlier this week. Alejandro Oliveros Acosta, a 46-year-old Santa Ana resident, is accused of luring cats with cat food, kidnapping them and stomping and beating them to death, the Orange County district attorney's office said in a Tuesday press release. Why It Matters Oliveros Acosta is facing two counts of felony animal cruelty, one felony count of theft of a companion animal, a Bengal Lynx, and one misdemeanor count of possession of a controlled substance. Santa Ana Animal Control began receiving reports of injured and dead cats near the area of W. Wilshire Avenue and S. Clara Street in November 2024. Between November and April, animal control received seven reports that included felines who were suffering from broken backs and bloody faces. What To Know Oliveros Acosta was arrested by the Santa Ana Police Department and the Westminster Police Department on April 24. He was released after posting the $40,000 statutory bail ($20,000 separately on the Westminster and Santa Ana cases) before the police department finished its investigation and referred the case to the Orange County district attorney's office's animal abuse prosecutor. The district attorney's office called for Oliveros Acosta's bail to be increased to $100,000. When Oliveros Acosta didn't show up for his arraignment, Superior Court Judge Stephen J. McGreevy issued a bench warrant for his arrest and raised his bond to $50,000, USA Today reported. The Santa Ana Police Department wrote last month on Facebook that Oliveros Acosta was positively identified by several victims and witnesses as the suspect responsible for the alleged animal cruelty. Officials called the inquiry a "serial cat killer investigation." Detectives then obtained a search warrant for Oliveros Acosta's residence and collected evidence related to the case. The 46-year-old is also accused of having methamphetamine on him when he was booked into jail, prosecutors said. What People Are Saying Santa Ana Police Department wrote on Facebook last month: "We recognize the strong emotions this case has generated and ask the public to please allow the judicial process to take its course." Eva Corlew, whose Bengal Lynx cat Clubber went missing in November and was later returned, told KCAL News in March: "I feel a little scared that this person is out there stealing multiple cats, not just mine, and doing god knows what with them." What Happens Next According to The Times, authorities have said Oliveros Acosta's whereabouts are unknown. Oliveros Acosta is facing a maximum sentence of four years and four months if convicted on the felony charges and an additional year if convicted on the misdemeanor charge. Prosecutors said additional evidence will be reviewed to determine whether additional criminal charges can be proven beyond a reasonable doubt. Anyone with information regarding this case is asked to contact Santa Ana Police Investigative Specialist Sophia Guzman at 714-245-8416 or SGuzman@ Do you have a story that Newsweek should be covering? Do you have any questions about this story? Contact LiveNews@
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.
21-05-2025
Southern California man charged for allegedly luring, kidnapping and beating cats to death
A Southern California man accused of stealing a Bengal Lynx cat and beating other felines to death will be arraigned on Wednesday and could face up to four years and four months in jail, according to the Orange County District Attorney's Office. The suspect, 46-year-old Alejandro Oliveros Acosta, was arrested on April 24 after allegedly "luring cats with cat food in order to kidnap the animals to stomp them and beat them to death," the district attorney's office said in a press release on Tuesday. Oliveros Acosta was also accused of having methamphetamine on him when he was booked into jail, officials said. Acosta has been charged with two counts of felony animal cruelty, one misdemeanor count of possession of a controlled substance and one felony count of theft of a companion animal after stealing a Bengal Lynx cat from a Westminster home in March, officials said. Between November 2024 and April 2025, there were seven reports of dead and injured cats to Santa Ana Animal Control, including "animals suffering from broken backs and bloody faces," prosecutors said. On March 21, a Westminster woman came home to find her Bengal Lynx cat, named Clubber, was missing, the district attorney's office said. Officials looked through video surveillance and found the suspect — later identified as Oliveros Acosta — with "what appeared to be a can of food, luring the cat before grabbing the animal and driving away in a white Toyota Tacoma pickup truck," prosecutors said. Clubber was returned to his owners "after the theft was publicized," however, the suspect was unidentified at the time, prosecutors said. On April 3, a Santa Ana man was leaving his home when he saw his neighbor, Oliveros Acosta, "pick up a cat over his head and slam it to the ground," officials said. Two days later, animal control was called for reports of another cat "who was not moving," with video surveillance revealing Oliveros Acosta picking up the cat out of his truck, dropping it on the ground in order to "stomp on it with his foot," officials said. After his arrest in April, Oliveros Acosta posted a $40,000 bail and was released before police finished their investigation and presented the case to the district attorney's office, officials said. Prosecutors have asked for bail to be increased from the statutory $20,000 bail to $100,000 "given the danger Oliveros Acosta poses to public safety," officials said. The investigation of the case remains ongoing and the district attorney's office said anyone with additional information should contact the Santa Ana and Westminster police departments to determine whether additional charges can be added. It is unclear whether Oliveros Acosta has an attorney who can speak on his behalf.
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Yahoo
Southern California man charged for allegedly luring, kidnapping and beating cats to death
A Southern California man accused of stealing a Bengal Lynx cat and beating other felines to death will be arraigned on Wednesday and could face up to four years and four months in jail, according to the Orange County District Attorney's Office. The suspect, 46-year-old Alejandro Oliveros Acosta, was arrested on April 24 after allegedly "luring cats with cat food in order to kidnap the animals to stomp them and beat them to death," the district attorney's office said in a press release on Tuesday. Oliveros Acosta was also accused of having methamphetamine on him when he was booked into jail, officials said. Acosta has been charged with two counts of felony animal cruelty, one misdemeanor count of possession of a controlled substance and one felony count of theft of a companion animal after stealing a Bengal Lynx cat from a Westminster home in March, officials said. Between November 2024 and April 2025, there were seven reports of dead and injured cats to Santa Ana Animal Control, including "animals suffering from broken backs and bloody faces," prosecutors said. On March 21, a Westminster woman came home to find her Bengal Lynx cat, named Clubber, was missing, the district attorney's office said. Officials looked through video surveillance and found the suspect — later identified as Oliveros Acosta — with "what appeared to be a can of food, luring the cat before grabbing the animal and driving away in a white Toyota Tacoma pickup truck," prosecutors said. MORE: Animal sanctuary owner, about 100 cats die in fire, officials say Clubber was returned to his owners "after the theft was publicized," however, the suspect was unidentified at the time, prosecutors said. On April 3, a Santa Ana man was leaving his home when he saw his neighbor, Oliveros Acosta, "pick up a cat over his head and slam it to the ground," officials said. Two days later, animal control was called for reports of another cat "who was not moving," with video surveillance revealing Oliveros Acosta picking up the cat out of his truck, dropping it on the ground in order to "stomp on it with his foot," officials said. After his arrest in April, Oliveros Acosta posted a $40,000 bail and was released before police finished their investigation and presented the case to the district attorney's office, officials said. MORE: Florida man shoots neighbor's cow 5 times after it wandered onto his property Prosecutors have asked for bail to be increased from the statutory $20,000 bail to $100,000 "given the danger Oliveros Acosta poses to public safety," officials said. The investigation of the case remains ongoing and the district attorney's office said anyone with additional information should contact the Santa Ana and Westminster police departments to determine whether additional charges can be added. It is unclear whether Oliveros Acosta has an attorney who can speak on his behalf. Southern California man charged for allegedly luring, kidnapping and beating cats to death originally appeared on
