Shelter broken into, puppies stolen
Sterling, MA (US)Incident Date: Wednesday, Mar 16, 2011
County: Worcester
Disposition: Alleged
Alleged:
» Sylvia M. Ortiz
» Jose L. Figueroa
» Jorge Benitez
» Miguel Alcoba
Case Updates: 1 update(s) available
A Worcester man allegedly involved in the heist of nine puppies told police how he and two other men broke into Sterling Animal Shelter, according to court documents.
Jose L. Figueroa, 22, 12 Winfield St., Apt. 1R, Worcester, admitted to police he stood watch outside the shelter the morning of March 17 while Jorge Benitez, 23, 434 Park Ave., Apt. 2, Worcester, and a second man he identified as Miguel Alcoba broke in, stole the puppies and handed them off to him, police said. Mr. Figueroa told police he put the puppies into a stolen 1995 Honda Civic.
Mr. Figueroa is charged in Clinton District Court with breaking and entering in the nighttime to commit a felony; vandalizing property; larceny from a building; larceny over $250; cruelty to an animal; driving a motor vehicle after his license was revoked, third offense; use of a motor vehicle without authority; malicious destruction of property over $250; leaving the scene of property damage; failure to file an accident report; two counts of conspiracy of larceny over $250; and a subsequent offense of larceny of a motor vehicle.
Mr. Benitez is charged with breaking and entering in the nighttime to commit a felony; vandalizing property; larceny from a building; larceny over $250; cruelty to an animal; use of a motor vehicle without authority; malicious destruction of property over $250; and conspiracy of larceny over $250.
Sylvia M. Ortiz, 22, 10 Everett Gaylord Blvd., Apt. 8, Worcester, is charged with one count of conspiracy of larceny over $250. Police found four of the puppies on a tiled floor in her bathroom with no food or water, accompanied by a strong smell of urine. One was shaking and appeared sick, according to Sterling Police Detective David R. Johnson's report.
Their arraignments are scheduled for May 16 in Clinton District Court.
Mr. Figueroa told police that Ms. Ortiz wanted a dog, but they could not afford one, so she asked him to steal one from Sterling Animal Shelter. He is Ms. Ortiz's ex-brother-in-law, court documents said, and is dating one of her friends and stays at Ms. Ortiz's apartment from time to time.
"So he, Jorge Benitez (aka Cuba), and Miguel Alcoba (aka Mike) drove to Sterling on the morning of 3-17-11, driving around side streets looking to steal a Honda Civic," Detective Johnson said in his report.
After finding a Honda Civic at 18 Maple St., they smashed out the window and stole the car. Mr. Figueroa drove to 64 Leominster Road to pick up Mr. Alcoba and Mr. Benitez. They then drove to Laurelwood Road, passed the shelter, threw out clothes and books from the vehicle, and drove back to the shelter, according to Detective Johnson's report.
After stealing the puppies, the trio drove back to Leominster Road. They crashed the Honda Civic into a retaining wall at 64 Leominster Road, placed eight of the puppies into the trunk of their waiting vehicle and transported the ninth puppy in the passenger area of the vehicle, the report says.
Mr. Figueroa said they abandoned the Honda Civic because they "did not know what the police were like in this area," according to Detective Johnson's report.
They drove back to Worcester and split up the puppies near a new school near Plumley Village. Mr. Figueroa said he left three of the dogs in Ms. Ortiz's apartment and gave one away, according to Detective Johnson's report.
In court documents, Mr. Figueroa is described as a "common known thief" who has 27 entries on his adult criminal record and an additional 22 entries on his juvenile record, including receiving stolen property, breaking and entering in the nighttime to commit a felony, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, larceny of a vehicle and possession of burglary tools. He was out on $500 cash bail on a charge of intimidation of a witness when Worcester police picked him up on a warrant. He and Mr. Benitez are being held at the Worcester County Jail and House of Correction in West Boylston until their arraignments.
No further information was available Friday on the status of Mr. Alcoba. When shown photos, Mr. Figueroa positively identified Mr. Benitez, but could not identify Mr. Alcoba, according to Detective Johnson's report.
Eight of the puppies have been recovered and returned to Sterling Animal Shelter. Searchers continue looking for the ninth puppy.
Anyone having any information is asked to please contact Sterling Animal Shelter Director Leigh Grady via email [email protected] or cell phone, 978-423-1467. Visit the shelter
View Press Release with missing puppies photos from Animal Shelter Inc:
clear="all"> Case UpdatesThe case against one of three defendants charged in the March thefts of nine puppies from the Sterling Animal Shelter will not go forward because of a lack of evidence.
Timothy J. Connolly, spokesman for Worcester District Attorney Joseph D. Early Jr., said yesterday a no-prosecution order was issued for Jorge Benitez, 24, of 434 Park Ave., because the only evidence against him was statements from other defendants. The ruling does not mean Mr. Benitez, who faced several charges including animal cruelty, breaking and entering, and larceny, cannot be prosecuted in the future if more evidence comes to light.
The cases against the other two defendants �" Jose L. Figueroa, 23, 12 Winfield St., Apt. 2, Worcester, and Sylvia M. Ortiz, 23, 10 Everett Gaylord Blvd, Apt. 8, Worcester �" which were divided between Clinton District Court and Worcester Central District Court, will go forward.
Mr. Connolly said Mr. Figueroa is scheduled to be in the Worcester court Dec. 2. He is charged with animal cruelty, breaking and entering in the nighttime with intent to commit a felony, vandalism of property, larceny from a building, larceny of property greater than $250, malicious destruction of property, and several motor vehicle charges.
Charges of conspiracy to commit larceny of property valued more than $250 and receiving stolen property against Ms. Ortiz are pending in Clinton District Court. Four of the puppies were found in her bathroom.
According to court documents, Ms. Ortiz told Mr. Figueroa, whom she was friendly with, that she wanted a dog but could not afford one. She allegedly asked him to steal one from the shelter. Mr. Figueroa told police Mr. Benitez broke into the shelter and handed the puppies off to him.
They fled in a Honda allegedly stolen by Mr. Figueroa, who is also charged with driving after revocation of license, third offense.
All of the puppies were eventually found and returned to the shelter, sick and dehydrated. They recovered and were later adopted. | Source: telegram.com - Nov 11, 2011
Update posted on Nov 11, 2011 - 8:41PM |
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