Dog hit, fish and rabbits killed during burglary
New Albany, OH (US)Incident Date: Monday, Oct 31, 2005
County: Franklin
Disposition: Open
Suspect(s) Unknown - We need your help!
Law enforcement officials are investigating a string of disturbing cases involving break-ins, burglary and animal mutilation in a Central Ohio town. Police said there are at least eight similar cases in which local teenagers are the top suspects.
No one has been charged in the crime spree, but police have suspects, including a New Albany teenager and area high schools students.
Jerry Masser used to keep his sport utility vehicle parked on his driveway, but recently stopped after an act of vandalism. "(I) walked over and this window had been broken out. There was glass outside. There was glass inside," he said. "The compartment on the inside was open."
The thieves didn't steal much, but Masser learned he wasn't the only victim that night, Burton reported.
"We called the police and they said, 'Well, we've had a bunch of these. We'll send somebody out,'" Masser said.
According to New Albany police reports, eight vehicle break-ins were connected to the burglary of a house. "The house bothers me a lot, that somebody was willing to go into a house," Masser said. The thief used a screwdriver to break into the home, police said.
According to a search warrant, the thief punched a family dog in the head, stole a safe containing money and jewelry, and then killed two rabbits and a fish. "It's just sick. I mean, animals are basically inanimate things. Why hurt an animal?" Masser said.
The homeowner victimized said she was moving from the neighborhood.
Investigators said a possible motive could be drug money. Police obtained a search warrant to take the suspect's fingerprints to determine if they match any evidence at the crime scenes.
Police would not say if the safe was recovered or when charges could be filed. References |
