Veteran Milton Police Officer Ambushed and Shot While Responding to Reported Structure Fire on Main Street; Suspect Barricaded Inside Home as Massive Law Enforcement Response and Investigation Unfold

SANTA ANA, CA — In a case that has horrified pet owners and animal advocates across Orange County, authorities have arrested Alejandro Acosta Oliveros, a 45-year-old Santa Ana resident, who has been dubbed a “serial cat killer” by law enforcement officials.

The arrest came after weeks of escalating concern from local residents who had reported a string of disturbing incidents involving missing and injured cats. According to police, Oliveros was taken into custody without incident at his home on Wilshire Avenue, following the execution of a search warrant earlier this week.

In a video update posted to the Santa Ana Police Department’s official Instagram account, investigators revealed that Oliveros has confessed to some of the alleged crimes. However, authorities stressed that the full scope of the case is still under active investigation, and the number of victims—beloved pets in many cases—could be far greater than initially suspected.

A Pattern of Cruelty Unfolds

What began as isolated reports of missing pets quickly evolved into a suspected serial animal abuse case. Residents throughout Santa Ana, and even nearby cities like Westminster, began sharing security footage and eyewitness accounts online. Posts on social media platforms such as Nextdoor, Instagram, and Facebook detailed chilling encounters: a man seen luring cats from yards, tying their legs, and disappearing with them, often late at night or during early morning hours.

One particularly well-documented incident occurred on March 21 in Westminster, when a home surveillance camera captured a man, now believed to be Oliveros, seizing a 10-month-old Bengal Lynx cat named Clubber from a front yard. The cat was eventually recovered and returned to its owners, but the man in the footage remained unidentified—until this week.

Soon after, the community’s fears deepened when some missing cats began turning up dead under suspicious circumstances. One resident reported seeing a man inject a neighborhood cat with an unknown substance, after which the animal died. Others described seeing a man carrying cats away with their limbs bound, further solidifying suspicions that the incidents were not only intentional but part of a disturbing pattern.

The Arrest and What’s Next

Officers involved in the investigation say the case against Oliveros is already substantial. The evidence recovered during the search of his home, combined with his own confession, has painted a grim picture of systematic cruelty. While police have yet to disclose the total number of animal victims, detectives believe the actual number could be significant.

“We believe the scope of this case is significant,” said one police official. “We’re working diligently to uncover how many animals may have been affected and whether other communities were also impacted.”

The Santa Ana Police Department is currently coordinating with the Orange County District Attorney’s Office, and formal charges are expected to be filed in the coming days. Authorities are also exploring the possibility of additional suspects or accomplices, although none have been named at this time.

Community Reaction

The revelations have sent shockwaves through the community. Local animal rights groups and residents are calling for swift justice. Some have organized vigils and community forums, while others have begun raising funds to support local animal shelters and pet rescue efforts in the wake of the tragedy.

“He’s a monster. There’s no other word for it,” said Maribel Torres, a Santa Ana resident whose cat went missing in February. “I hope every cat he hurt gets justice.”

Animal welfare advocates are urging anyone with a missing pet or who has noticed suspicious activity involving animals in recent months to contact authorities immediately. Residents are encouraged to review their home surveillance footage, especially if they live near the Wilshire Avenue area, and to report anything that may help investigators.

What You Can Do

• If your pet is missing or you’ve witnessed suspicious behavior, contact the Santa Ana Police Department at (714) 245-8665.
• If you wish to remain anonymous, tips can be submitted through OC Crime Stoppers.
• Local animal shelters are encouraging residents to microchip their pets and keep them indoors whenever possible.

The investigation remains ongoing, but the arrest of Alejandro Acosta Oliveros marks a critical turning point in a case that has left an entire community grieving, angry, and determined to protect its most vulnerable companions.