Texas Police Officers Arrest 24-Yr-Previous Suspect in Tamarin Monkey Theft Case at Dallas Zoo
The Dallas Police Division has arrested a suspect within the theft case involving two emperor tamarin monkeys on the Dallas Zoo.
Davion Irvin, 24, was arrested in reference to the case, a Dallas Police Division spokesperson confirmed to PEOPLE.
Authorities say a preliminary investigation and help from the general public helped determine Irvin as a suspect. On Thursday, Dallas cops obtained a tip that Irvin had been noticed on the Dallas Aquarium close to animal reveals, and responding cops noticed him get on a DART rail practice.
Irvin was later noticed on the 1400 block of Pacific Avenue, the place cops took the person into custody.
In keeping with the Dallas Police Division, Irvin was charged with six counts of animal cruelty — non-livestock and was taken to the Dallas County Jail.
Dallas County Jail
Police officers say that the investigation into the Dallas Zoo’s missing animal issues is ongoing and that further fees are attainable.
On Monday, two tamarin monkeys — Bella and Finn — were reported missing from the zoo. A preliminary investigation by the Dallas Police Division into the animals’ disappearance decided that “an intentional minimize” was made of their enclosure on the zoo.
A day later, the Texas police division shared an replace on their Twitter web page asserting that the monkeys had been found at an abandoned home within the close by metropolis of Lancaster. The Dallas Zoo mentioned video from surveillance cameras aided the Dallas Police Division in generating a tip that led to the monkeys being discovered.
The zoo informed PEOPLE that the power’s employees was “thrilled past perception” that the 2 emperor tamarin monkeys had been discovered and that they’d assessment the zoo’s safety system, because the tamarin monkeys weren’t the one animals to go lacking from the zoo just lately.
RELATED: Tamarin Monkeys Reported Missing from Dallas Zoo Located Inside a Closet at an Abandoned Home
A 4-year-old clouded leopard named Nova went lacking from the Dallas Zoo on Jan. 13, prompting the zoo to shut for the day. Whereas the uncommon feline was finally situated close to her enclosure, an investigation by the Dallas Police Division on Jan. 16 confirmed {that a} cutting tool was used to make an opening in the fencing surrounding Nova’s habitat. The identical sort of minimize was additionally discovered within the space housing the zoo’s langurs, a small breed of monkey.
“Though our safety program had labored previously, it has change into apparent that we have to make important adjustments,” the Dallas Zoo shared in a launch despatched to PEOPLE. “Phrases can not categorical the frustration our crew is feeling. Even with all the extra safety measures we have now put in place throughout the previous two weeks, our animals and employees proceed to be the goal of those felony acts.”
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The zoo mentioned it added extra cameras, safety know-how, fencing, safety patrols, and in a single day staffing to forestall a brand new safety breach.
“We have now consulted with safety specialists and have developed new methods for securing the 106-acre zoo,” in accordance with the zoo’s press launch. “Securing a zoo is a singular problem that requires particular wants due to the atmosphere; there’s usually in depth tree cover, expansive habitats and behind-scenes-areas to observe, and heavy site visitors from friends, contractors, and employees.”