Video Surveillance Leads to Arrest of Animal Cruelty, Burglary Suspect

A 21-year-old man arrested Wednesday on suspicion of a burglary in Fremont last month is also accused of animal cruelty because a dog at the residence was injured by eating shattered glass during the burglary, police said.

Valdo Diaz, 21, of Oakland, was arrested on suspicion of residential burglary, felony animal cruelty and a parole violation. On Aug. 28, Fremont police began investigating an incident in which video surveillance captured images of two suspects breaking into a home in the 40800 block of Amapola Drive. During the burglary, the suspects injured Marlie, the family’s dog, when they threw food and dog treats on shattered glass, police said. Marlie ate the glass and suffered cuts and injuries to her mouth, police said. The dog was treated for the injuries and has recovered.

After releasing the surveillance footage to the public, police received information helping to identify one of the suspects as Diaz. He was arrested Wednesday and is scheduled to be arraigned in court in Fremont today, according to police.

The case remains under investigation. Anyone with information is asked to call police at (510) 790-6900.

By Bay City News