BWC: Officers detain man suspected of burglarizing pet store, find gerbils in pants

By Lauren Liebhaber
The Charlotte Observer

COLUMBUS, Ohio — An Ohio man is accused of breaking into a pet store and setting many of the animals loose, police said.

Trending

NYPD

NYPD grad joined force to honor police officer father who died on 9/11

“Being around the Police Department as a little kid, I always looked at these guys like they were superheroes,” Casey Kloepfer said. “I always just wanted to be one one day.”

June 28, 2026 08:00 AM

Medical

7-year-old honored by Texas sheriff’s office after helping save 1-year-old brother’s life

Patrick found his 1-year-old brother, Liam, unresponsive in the pool, pulled him out, and alerted his mother and neighbors for help, according to the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office

June 28, 2026 07:00 AM

Arrests and Sentencing

Man convicted of firing more than 20 gunshots at Calif. deputies in 6-hour standoff

Over six hours, the man fired his gun no less than 24 times; one gunshot struck a cruiser where deputies were taking cover, and one struck an armored vehicle where a deputy was seated

June 27, 2026 08:00 AM

Police Recruitment

St. Louis officials cut $1M from police budget for firefighter raises

The change to the police department legal fund, plus a trim to the fire department’s vehicle budget, will cover the estimated $1.4 million cost of the firefighter pay increases

June 27, 2026 07:00 AM

Columbus Division of Police officers responded to reports of a break-in at a restaurant in the Hilliard shopping center around 3 a.m. July 9, WBNS reported.

Authorities learned that Petland, about 100 yards away from the restaurant, was also broken into, the station reported.

According to police, the door to the pet store was open and animals, including dogs, birds, ferrets, rabbits, and gerbils, were roaming free, WCMH reported.

Authorities rounded up several animals that were also found loose outside the store, WSYX reported.

Police found the suspect about an hour later, according to WCMH.

“We recovered several gerbils inside his pants,” Sgt. Joe Albert said in an interview with WBNS.

Petland owners told WSYX that several dog kennels were smashed with a rock.

A veterinarian was called to examine the animals, the station reported.

It is unclear what charges the suspect will face.

—

©2024 The Charlotte Observer. Visit charlotteobserver.com.
Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.