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

Legal

Seattle reaches $29M settlement with family of woman struck and killed by officer en route to emergency call

Jaahnavi Kandula was hit by a Seattle officer who was driving up to 74 mph as he responded to a drug overdose call; he had his emergency lights on and had been using his siren at intersections

February 12, 2026 09:12 AM

Federal law enforcement

Minn. immigration operation to end, border czar announces

The immigration crackdown, which spanned Minneapolis and St. Paul, resulted in more than 4,000 arrests and extensive protests

February 12, 2026 10:14 AM

Drones

After 3,000 flights, LAPD moves to scale DFR program citywide

The Los Angeles Board of Police Commissioners voted unanimously to approve putting a $2.1 million donation toward the purchase of 24 drones, docking stations and other equipment

February 11, 2026 04:39 PM

Social Media

Tenn. PD jabs at officer, releases video of porch tumble: ‘Rapid tactical descent’

“No porches were harmed in the making of this incident. Sgt. Bennett’s dignity is currently under review,” the Monterey Police Department captioned the video post

February 12, 2026 11:26 AM

 · 

Joanna Putman

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.