Man Arrested After Surveillance Links Him to Cat Deaths

2 weeks ago 11

A Santa Ana man has been charged in a disturbing string of animal cruelty cases involving the violent deaths of several cats, including a beloved Bengal Lynx named Clubber. Prosecutors say the man, Alejandro Oliveros Acosta, lured cats using food and then beat them to death in multiple attacks dating back to November 2024.

The Orange County District Attorney’s Office filed two felony counts of animal cruelty, one felony count of theft of a companion animal, and a misdemeanor charge for drug possession against Acosta, 46. According to investigators, he stole Clubber from a Westminster home, seen on surveillance footage using canned food to lure the cat from the property.

Santa Ana police documented seven separate incidents in which cats were found with broken backs or facial injuries. In one especially horrifying case, a neighbor reportedly saw Acosta lift a cat above his head and slam it to the ground. The cat died from its injuries, and the couple immediately called Animal Control.

A short time later, another cat was discovered gravely injured after allegedly being dropped from the back of a white Toyota Tacoma—matching the vehicle seen in the earlier Clubber incident. That video reportedly showed Acosta stomping the cat.

He was arrested on April 24 by police from Santa Ana and Westminster but released after posting a $40,000 bond. His release prompted a wave of outrage from residents, many of whom gathered outside his home in protest.

The District Attorney’s Office has since requested that Acosta’s bail be raised to $100,000 due to concerns over public safety. Investigators say he was found carrying methamphetamine at the time of his arrest, resulting in the additional misdemeanor charge.

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The case remains open, and prosecutors continue to evaluate whether more charges are warranted. If convicted, Acosta could face more than five years in prison.

He is scheduled to appear in court in Santa Ana.