Man Walking Around with Live Animals is Arrested after a Pet Shop Burglary
Photo: recovered tortoises
SAN PABLO — A man walking around with live animals and a large quantity of cash was arrested following a burglary of a pet shop. Most of the animals survived this unusual crime unscathed.
The burglary occurred at El Granero Feed & Supplies, located at 2228 Church Lane. Dozens of baby chicks, three tortoises and an exotic bird were reported stolen from the pet shop, earlier this month.
The store is equipped with security cameras, which aided police in conducting a speedy investigation. Officers who reviewed video recordings were able to identify the suspect.
The suspect, David Perez-Carbajal, 28 of San Pablo, was spotted walking along a busy street. He was detained on September 8 at approximately 4 p.m., near the Walgreens store located at 13691 San Pablo Avenue.
Perez-Carbajal was carrying in his possession about 40 baby chicks inside plastic boxes, stuffed inside a backpack. The boxes filled with chicks were poorly ventilated and some of the chicks perished.
The suspect was also carrying three tortoises inside the same backpack. The missing exotic bird was found later, and it was recovered as well.
San Pablo PD contacted the pet shop owner, who retrieved all the surviving animals and returned them to the pet shop.
Perez-Carbajal was arrested and transported to county jail, where he was booked for possession of stolen property, and cruelty to animals.
