Cats stolen and tortured, set on fire
Del Mar, CA (US)Incident Date: Tuesday, Oct 16, 2001
County: San Diego
Charges: Misdemeanor
Disposition: Alleged
Case Images: 5 files available
Alleged: Paulo Marques
Case Updates: 2 update(s) available
The authorities are searching for 19 year old Marques for kidnapping, freezing and cutting the ears off and burning/torching house cats in the Pacific Beach area. Marques is a Latino male, about 5-feet-8-inches tall, weighing 160 pounds. He has black hair and brown eyes. He is believed to be driving a red 1994 Chevrolet truck with California license plate 4X86764. He is charged with animal cruelty and is currently on the run from the Police. The police were attempting to arrest Marques for a domestic abuse charge when he escaped down the fire escape at 6am in his underwear. They have been unable to recapture him and fear he has gone to Mexico to get back to Brazil.
Marques had outstanding warrants in a midwestern state as he does now in California- totalling $60,000.
In the 2000 Block of Emerald St. in Del Mar a 13 year old cat named Bert, owned by Sarah Jane Lloyd was set on fire on October 16th 2001.
The cat suffered from third degree burns over 75% of her body. Bert was found engulfed in flames, rolling around trying to put herself out. The Good Samaritan who found her was out walking behind her apartment building, Marques was standing watching Bert and when asked to help he flatly refused. He then drove around the block 2 times, pulled up to the Samaritan and asked if she wanted to go for "a ride". A bottle suspected as being the Molotov cocktail has been recovered.
Marques had been questioned about the attack on another cat prior to Bert and then also questioned about Bert's attack, and yet he still attacked another cat shortly after. San Diego Country Animal Control Director Jim Wright stated they are able to tie Marques into at least 2 of the cat torchings. Marques last lived in the 3800 block of Ingraham Street. His roommate said Marques has made threats against cats in the past and kills his neighbor's cat.
On October 2nd, 2001 in the 3800 Block of Ingraham Street, Bear was burned. The burns run from the tip of his ears to his tail. "It was pretty heart wrenching to see him. He didn't have bandages on. He was completely charred", said Milena Aubry, Bear's owner. According to animal control, Bear was intentionally set on fire. He was smoldering and moaning in pain when a Pacific Beach resident found him and called for help. Bear lives in Ocean Beach but was found in Pacific Beach.
In Ocean Beach, the Sunset Cliffs Veterinary Hospital has recently dealt with at least 5 cats killed in unspeakable ways. "Whoever this person is had actually cut open the cat and, for lack of a better term, gutted the cat" said hospital worker Tanya Lancee.
Rhonda Smallwood's cat Poco was found with similar wounds her other cat Rocky is still missing.
If anyone has any information regarding the mutilation of these cats or the whereabouts of Paulo Marques they should contact the San Diego County Department of Animal Control at 619-236-2341 or Crime Stoppers anonymous tip line at 619-235-TIPS. Collect calls are accepted and callers may remain anonymous.
The San Diego Animal Advocates, a non-profit animal rights organization is offering a $1,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction. Jer of Jeff and Jer of the morning show on Star 107 has added another $4,000 to the reward for information regarding these crimes bringing the reward total to $7,000 to date.
Case Updates| Marques has been tracked through INS, and is believed to have returned to Brazil. | | Update posted on Apr 1, 2002 - 12:00AM |
The warrant for threatening the animal control officer is a felony warrant. Marques does not have a known history of carrying firearms.
Police are still actively pursing the two outstanding warrants. | | Update posted on Dec 27, 2001 - 3:45AM |
References |
