Robert Ray Farmer – Santa Clara County booking photo
SAN JOSE – According to SJPD Press Information Officer Albert Morales, “On September 21, 2015, at approximately 9:40 P.M., a theft of a domesticated orange tabby cat named Gogo occurred outside a residence on the 1600 block of Hyacinth Lane.” Surveillance video showed the suspect, 24-year-old Robert Ray Farmer, lure the cat to him. Once it was close enough, Farmer grabbed the cat and ran away.
Video surveillance caught the suspect approaching and then taking the cat.
Morales said, “San Jose Police detectives immediately began conducting follow up investigations.” After the release of the video footage, several people contacted the San Jose Police Department and were able to provide significant information about the possible suspect. Detectives from the San Jose Police Departments Assaults Unit followed up on this information and identified the suspect as Farmer.
On Thursday October 8 at approximately 6:30 am, San Jose Police located 24-year-old Robert Farmer while he was sleeping in his vehicle in the Home Depot parking lot at Hillsdale and Leigh Avenues in San Jose. A search of suspect’s vehicle revealed a deceased cat concealed inside. Farmer, an unemployed transient, was arrested and charged with cruelty to another’s animal, being under the influence of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, and theft.
Farmer was arraigned in Department 23 at 1:30 pm on October 13 at the San Jose Hall of Justice. Bail for the suspect was set at $75,000. With four identified incidents, he is facing three felony counts of animal cruelty, with one felony count of attempted animal cruelty, and misdemeanor battery. Farmer is currently being housed in the Department of Corrections Elmwood Men’s Facility. His next court appearance has been scheduled for October 19 at 1:30 pm in Department 38.
Farmer was found sleeping in his car in this Home Deport parking lot
With multiple cat owners questioning the fate of their pets, the San Jose Police has not been able to confirm the identity of the deceased cat or its owner. Morales said, “At this time we do not know if the suspect Farmer is responsible for the other missing and or possible deceased cats reported to the San Jose Police Department.”
KRON News has reported that Farmer is the son of retired San Jose police captain Jack Farmer. Arrest records show that while Robert Farmer was living at his parents’ home in Los Gatos, he was arrested in June of 2010 for exhibiting a deadly weapon or firearm, and making criminal threats. He was arrested again in April of 2011 for assault with a deadly weapon or force likely to cause great bodily injury, and criminal threats. Details of those incidents were not available.
SJPD Detectives are asking that anyone with information regarding this incident contact Sgt. Johst #3237, and/or Detective Erickson #3904, and/or Detective Cruz #3897, and/or Detective Figone #4016 of the San Jose Assaults Unit at 408-277-4161.
Read More: KRON News
CrimeVoice staff contributed to this report
