A vigil to honor felines slain by an accused serial cat killer in Santa Ana, California, took a violent flip when attendees determined they’d observe the suspect down themselves… however bought the incorrect home.
The vigil got here one week after Santa Ana Police arrested a person who they mentioned murdered dozens of cats in a neighborhood within the metropolis.
Residents claimed that the suspected cat killer used a needle to inject a substance into one of many cats, and one other resident informed FOX 11 Los Angeles that they discovered their cat hanging from a tree.
The suspect, recognized as 45-year-old Alejandro Oliveros Acosta, allegedly confessed to finishing up the heinous crimes to police.
He bonded out and was launched from jail Thursday, police confirmed.
Throughout Sunday night time’s vigil for the cats, a mob surrounded either side of a home throughout the road from Acosta’s house that the gang believed belonged to his brother.
The outlet reported that the mob demanded that he come out, and started to interrupt home windows and even pepper-sprayed the person who lived within the house as kids had been seen watching the entire ordeal unfold from inside.
The sufferer, who didn’t need to be recognized, informed FOX 11 that he’s not Acosta’s brother, however that the alleged cat killer is expounded to his brother-in-law.
The sufferer then claimed he had not seen or heard from Acosta since his arrest.
It took greater than an hour for Santa Ana police to reach on the scene, FOX 11 reported.
Fox Information Digital reached out to the Santa Ana Police Division for remark, however didn’t hear again.
FOX 11 reported that the crowd continued to chant exterior the incorrect house and accused the residents of collaborating with the cat assassin, regardless of police declaring it an illegal meeting.
“Last night, during a vigil related to this case, several individuals became unruly, vandalized property, and threw objects in a neighborhood. While we support the community’s right to peacefully assemble, the Santa Ana Police Department will not tolerate acts of violence, vandalism, or any threats to public safety,” the police division launched in a press release on X.
“Any damage to life or property will have consequences, and those engaging in criminal behavior will be held accountable. We appreciate the community’s cooperation and patience as this case moves through the legal system,” the assertion continued.
A sufferer informed FOX 11 that they knew nothing about Acosta’s alleged crimes and had been terrified by the crowds’ actions.
“The peaceful protesting wasn’t so peaceful. They’re scaring kids here. It’s scaring the whole family. There are kids, seven kids in this house. Two little babies, one that is autistic. You know, breaking our fences… pepper spraying us for no reason. If you did what you did, I didn’t know anything about it. You know, when we found out, we were shocked,” the sufferer informed FOX 11.
Over a number of weeks, the Santa Ana Police Division mentioned they obtained a number of disturbing studies involving the suspected abuse and killing of cats in a neighborhood neighborhood.
Police mentioned the studies alleged {that a} man had been luring neighborhood cats to and round his property, the place he then harmed or killed them.
Detectives arrested Acosta on Wednesday morning, the place he was then taken into custody and booked on felony expenses associated to animal cruelty.
Neighbors informed FOX 11 they imagine their cats might have been victims of Acosta, and are planning to report these lacking cats to police.
In response to Acosta bonding out of jail, police mentioned “the right to bail is protected under the Eighth Amendment of the United States Constitution,” and that people who’re arrested in California “may post bail based on predetermined bail schedules established under the California Penal Code for certain offenses.”
“These schedules provide standardized bail amounts depending on the nature of the alleged crime,” police mentioned in a press release shared on X. “At arraignment, it is within the discretion of the court to review and, if warranted, revoke or adjust bail conditions based on the circumstances presented. Ultimately, any modification to bail is a judicial decision made in accordance with the law.”
