A Salinas man is facing charges of firing with gross negligence, cruelty to animals, and vandalism in connection with the deaths of farm animals and birds.
Monterey County sheriff’s detectives confiscated multiple weapons and ammunition from the residence of a man suspected of killing 81 animals, as reported by the office on Sept. 4.
Assistance was sought from the Monterey County SWAT team and drones from the Seaside Fire Department and Gonzales Police Department.
A drone assisted in locating a suspect near a crashed vehicle in a vineyard on Avery Lane, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
SWAT officers approached the suspect in an armored vehicle and successfully took him into custody without any issues, the police force stated.
39-year-old Vincent Joseph Arroyo of Salinas was arrested at the scene and charged with five felonies, including willful discharge of a firearm with gross negligence, cruelty to animals, possession of an assault weapon, vandalism exceeding $400, criminal threats, and unlawful possession of a firearm.
Upon securing the scene, officials allegedly discovered that the suspect had killed approximately 81 animals within a three-hour span, including miniature horses, goats, rabbits, guinea pigs, chickens, ducks, and various birds.
Some animals that survived were euthanized due to the severity of their injuries, the Sheriff’s Office disclosed.
Several rifles, shotguns, and handguns, including an illegal assault weapon, were found at the site, along with numerous loaded and empty magazines.
The day after the arrest, detectives from the sheriff’s office executed a search warrant at Arroyo’s residence, where they seized seven additional weapons and over 2,000 rounds of ammunition, as per the police force.
Two of the weapons were an unregistered assault rifle and handgun, categorized as “ghost guns,” stated the sheriff’s office.
The total count of firearms seized during the investigation amounted to 15.
Following the discovery of additional firearms at the premises, Arroyo’s bail was raised to $1 million by the judge. He remained in custody at the county jail as of Friday.
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