A violent mob took matters into their own hands by targeting a house they believed was connected to a suspected serial cat killer, only to find they had gone to the wrong address.
Protesters try to hunt down alleged cat serial killer
The gathering in Santa Ana, California began as a vigil to remember several cats reportedly killed in recent weeks.
But tensions quickly escalated when some attendees chose to take direct action against 45-year-old Alejandro Oliveros Acosta, who is facing felony charges of animal cruelty.
Several residents accused Acosta of horrific acts, including injecting a substance into a cat with a needle and hanging another from a tree.
According to reports, Acosta has since admitted to the killings but was released from custody after posting bail last week.
Frustration in the neighborhood reached a boiling point days later. Around 7 p.m. on Sunday, a crowd assembled outside what they thought was Acosta’s brother’s home, but was actually his across the street neighbor’s residence.
Video footage showed the group shouting for Acosta to come outside. At least one person hurled a rock at a window, while others displayed signs showing images of missing cats.
A man who resides in the house was reportedly pepper-sprayed as children inside looked on in fear.
The man later told FOX 11 that he was not related to Acosta, but that the suspect was the brother-in-law of one of his relatives.
He also said he hadn’t seen or heard from Acosta since the arrest, and that Acosta no longer appeared to be living in the area.
Violent mob destroys property at wrong house
A different resident claimed the demonstrators broke through their fence and used pepper spray against them without provocation.
Despite the escalating situation, it took over an hour for law enforcement to arrive and declare the gathering an unlawful assembly, according to FOX 11.
Even with the police on scene, the crowd continued to accuse the family of being complicit with the suspected animal abuser and chanted outside the home for several more hours.
Eventually, the group dispersed. No arrests were made, although the Orange County Register reported that police documented damage to the property, including a broken fence and shattered window.
However, no report was filed for the use of pepper spray, said police spokeswoman Yessenia Aspeitia.
Santa Ana police responded to the incident with a statement on X:
“Last night, during a vigil related to this case, several individuals became unruly, vandalized property and threw objects in a neighborhood,” the department stated.
“While we support the community’s right to peacefully assemble, the Santa Ana Police Department will not tolerate acts of violence, vandalism or any threats to public safety.”
The department also warned that those found responsible would face legal repercussions.
“Any damage to life or property will have consequences, and those engaging in criminal behavior will be held accountable. We appreciate the community’s cooperation and patience as this case moves through the legal system.”
Acosta, who remains under investigation, was taken into custody on Wednesday after authorities reportedly discovered more than a dozen cat carcasses on his property.
Police continue to investigate the full extent of the alleged killings and said they had received multiple complaints about a man luring cats near his residence before harming them.
He was booked into jail with a $20,000 bail, which he later paid to secure his release.
Violent mob beats down man who attempted to rape an elderly woman
In another recent case involving vigilante action, a group in the Bronx allegedly attacked a man accused of attempting to rape a 70-year-old woman.
According to WNBC-TV, the suspect was located less than 24 hours after the alleged assault occurred near Creston Avenue and 184th Street.
Police said an anonymous caller alerted them to the suspect’s location after the man had been beaten by locals and transported to the hospital.
Authorities later identified him as 50-year-old Oswaldo Ramos, who has a criminal history with 19 prior arrests.
Ramos was taken into custody and charged with attempted rape and burglary.
At the time of reporting, he was still hospitalized, and details regarding the extent of his injuries were unclear.
The New York Post quoted one resident who took part in the retaliation: “Yeah, we beat him up. … You don’t do that. That’s something you don’t do. … And if he comes back, I’m going to rock him again.”
Police sources added that Ramos has declined to provide information about who assaulted him.
