Crime
Alejandro Acosta Oliveros Arrested in Connection to Serial Cat Killings and Abductions Across Orange County
SANTA ANA, CA — A man accused of abducting and killing numerous cats across Orange County has been taken into custody, Santa Ana police confirmed Wednesday.
Authorities identified the suspect as Alejandro Acosta Oliveros, 45, of Santa Ana, who has been dubbed a “serial cat killer” by law enforcement.
Officers executed a search warrant at Oliveros’ residence on Wilshire Avenue, where he was arrested without incident.
In a video posted to the Santa Ana Police Department’s official Instagram account, investigators revealed that Oliveros has already confessed to his actions.
However, authorities noted that the full extent of the crimes is still under investigation.
As of Wednesday afternoon, police had not disclosed the total number of cats believed to have been harmed, but detectives indicated that the number could be substantial. “We believe the scope of this case is significant,” an official stated. “We’re working diligently to uncover how many animals may have been affected.”
Concerns about the suspect had been building for weeks, as numerous Santa Ana residents reported disturbing incidents involving missing or harmed cats.
Many shared surveillance footage and eyewitness accounts online, warning neighbors—particularly pet owners—of a man seen luring cats from private yards and neighborhoods.
One particularly notable case occurred on March 21 in Westminster, where surveillance video captured a man, believed to be Oliveros, seizing Clubber, a 10-month-old Bengal Lynx cat.
Although Clubber was eventually recovered and returned home, the suspect evaded capture until this week.
Following the initial catnapping reports, the situation escalated when residents began to suspect that the stolen cats were being killed.
On platforms such as Nextdoor, disturbing accounts emerged.
One resident described witnessing a man bind a cat’s legs and carry it away.
Another user reported that a neighbor’s cat died after allegedly being injected with an unknown substance by the suspect.
“We saw the camera footage—this guy just grabbed a cat, tied its legs, and walked off toward McFadden,” one post read. Another wrote: “My neighbor’s cat was killed. He was injected with something and didn’t survive.”
In light of these revelations, police believe Oliveros may be responsible for multiple such acts across Santa Ana and possibly other nearby communities.
Authorities are working to determine whether any additional suspects are involved and are in the process of compiling evidence to present to the District Attorney’s Office.
Santa Ana Police officials have indicated that formal charges could be filed within the coming days.
The investigation remains ongoing, and residents are urged to report any suspicious activity or relevant information that could assist in the case.
Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Santa Ana Police Department.
Crime
Venezuelan national Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis shot in the leg by an immigration agent in Minneapolis
On January 14, 2025, federal law enforcement personnel were engaged in a targeted enforcement operation involving Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis, a Venezuelan national who has been present in the United States since 2022.
The operation escalated into a high-speed pursuit, a physical confrontation, and an ambush by multiple subjects, necessitating the use of a defensive firearm discharge by a federal agent.
At approximately 6:50 PM, federal officers initiated a targeted traffic stop of a vehicle operated by Sosa-Celis.
The subject refused to comply with law enforcement commands and attempted to flee the scene.
During the pursuit, the subject’s vehicle collided with a stationary, parked car.
Following the collision, the subject abandoned the vehicle and fled the scene on foot.
A federal agent pursued the suspect on foot and successfully intercepted him. As the agent attempted to effect an arrest, the subject became combative, resulting in a violent struggle on the ground.
During this confrontation, two additional male subjects emerged from a nearby residence to intervene.
These individuals reportedly ambushed the agent, utilizing a snow shovel and a broom handle to strike the officer.
The situation escalated when the primary suspect, Sosa-Celis, regained his footing and joined the two additional subjects in the assault.
Reports indicate the suspect struck the agent with a blunt object (identified as either the shovel or broom handle).
Citing an immediate threat to his life while being outnumbered and actively assaulted by three individuals, the agent discharged his service weapon in self-defense.
The discharge struck Sosa-Celis in the lower extremity (leg). Following the shot, all three suspects retreated into a nearby apartment complex and initiated a barricade situation.
Following a brief standoff, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) successfully secured the perimeter and apprehended all three individuals without further injury.
Both the federal agent and Sosa-Celis were transported to a local medical facility for treatment.
Images from the scene showed Sosa-Celis conscious and alert during transport.
All three subjects involved in the assault are currently in the custody of ICE.
Further charges related to the assault on a federal officer and resisting arrest are pending review by the U.S. Attorney’s Office.