A man seen on security footage slamming a turtle to the ground at the Valencia Town Center mall on Wednesday afternoon was arrested on suspicion of animal cruelty, according to the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station.
The incident occurred at approximately 2:30 p.m. on the 24000 block of West Valencia Boulevard, where deputies were dispatched following reports of a man disturbing turtles, according to a social media post by the SCV Sheriff’s Station.
The man was identified as a 34-year-old transient from Van Nuys, Deputy Mariela Picard, a spokeswoman for the station, wrote in an email to The Signal.
According to the security footage, the man was at the pond located on The Patios, an outdoor shopping area that houses cafes, restaurants and fashion boutiques and connects to the indoor mall.
Security personnel identified the suspect, who, according to the post, had previously been seen taking turtles from the pond.
“Surveillance footage confirmed the suspect removing a turtle and later slamming it to the ground multiple times,” the post read.
The injured turtle was treated for its injuries and is in the care of Los Angeles County Animal Care & Control, according to Picard.
When deputies attempted to arrest the suspect, he resisted, which resulted in use of force, Picard added in the email, and he was booked into the SCV Sheriff’s Station on suspicion of animal cruelty, petty theft, and resisting an officer, and remains in custody with no bail.
The post from the SCV Sheriff’s Station also thanked the mall’s security personnel for their quick response and assistance in identifying the suspect.
