An indication on the residence of a person suspected in a string of cat killings in Santa Ana resulted in vandalism over the weekend, prompting police to induce residents to stay calm and warn of potential penalties within the occasion of comparable disturbances.
Authorities estimate that 100 individuals attended a vigil Sunday night on the residence of Santa Ana resident Alejandro Oliveros Acosta, 45, who was arrested and booked final week on suspicion of felony animal cruelty.
Police allege that he killed at the very least a dozen neighborhood cats, and that carcasses had been discovered at his residence.
That residence was the positioning of a “Vigil for Justice,” the place pet homeowners and group and animal teams gathered for what was marketed on social media as a peaceable protest.
OC Neighborhood Cats, a nonprofit group that goals to assist handle Orange County’s stray and feral cat inhabitants, posted in regards to the occasion however instructed The Instances it was not the principle organizer. The protest was promoted on numerous social media platforms.
“Individuals are offended and afraid,” the group wrote in an emailed assertion. “We’re bored with abusers getting slapped on the wrist. Animal cruelty must be taken extra critically, with harsher penalties.”
In an announcement posted to social media, the Santa Ana Police Division acknowledged “the robust feelings this case has generated” however urged residents to permit the investigation and judicial course of to take their course.
“Whereas we assist the group’s proper to peacefully assemble, the Santa Ana Police Division won’t tolerate acts of violence, vandalism, or any threats to public security,” the assertion continued. “Any harm to life or property may have penalties, and people participating in felony conduct will probably be held accountable.”
In keeping with OC Neighborhood Cats, the protest moved from the house recognized as Acosta’s to a close-by one believed to be a member of the family’s. A neighbor, the group stated, had instructed protesters that Acosta was staying there.
Acosta had posted bail however was not within the space on the time, in keeping with the Santa Ana Police Division.
Round 7:45 p.m., Santa Ana police stated, some protesters threw objects on the second home and tried to interrupt down a fence.
“A number of people grew to become unruly, vandalized property, and threw objects in a neighborhood,” the division wrote in a social media publish.
A video from Fox 11 Los Angeles confirmed at the very least one protester making an attempt to wrench open a gate blocking a driveway. Others within the crowd shook a picket fence and shouted on the residence utilizing bullhorns. One protester appeared to launch some type of aerosol onto the property.
Demonstrators carried indicators studying, “We Demand Justice” and “At present cats, tomorrow people,” in Spanish.
“We’re asking the general public to allow us to conduct our investigation and to not vandalize or harm anybody’s residence,” stated Officer Natalie Garcia, a Santa Ana police public data officer.
The protest was performed totally on public streets, Garcia stated.
“Folks have the fitting to assemble and we can’t infringe on their proper to protest,” she stated.
Garcia stated Santa Ana police had been monitoring the protest and confirmed {that a} report of vandalism and battery was taken. However she stated she couldn’t affirm every other particulars.
Garcia urged members of the general public who really feel victimized — both by the theft of their pets or the protest — to contact the division.
OC Neighborhood Cats stated it’s conscious some pet advocates are planning to attend Acosta’s subsequent court docket listening to, and have reached out to the Orange County district legal professional’s workplace to ask for the utmost penalty on this case.
A district legal professional’s spokesperson didn’t instantly reply to a request for remark Tuesday.
