Man Accused Of 'Violently' Killing Kitten Arrested After Weeks-Long Investigation

SAN FRANCISCO, CA — A man accused of the gruesome killing of a small kitten in San Francisco was arrested Tuesday, police said.

Police say 33-year-old William Ohlson of Reno, Nevada, walked into an ATM vestibule in the 1800 block of Market Street during the early hours of Thursday, July 2, while holding a small kitten.

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Ohlson then "violently" tortured the kitten to death before leaving the scene with the animal, the San Francisco Police Department said.

Following an investigation by the San Francisco Animal Care and Control, with the help of the SFPD, Ohlson was identified as a suspect in the slaying, authorities said.

It's unclear what Ohlson was doing in San Francisco. Police found he was staying in a hotel room in the 100 block of Fell Street and secured a warrant for his arrest.

On Tuesday, officers served the warrant at the hotel, but by then, Ohlson had fled, police said.

A drone operator notified the officer on the ground that the suspect appeared to have left the room and gone onto the roof of the hotel, police said.

Fire crews were called onto the scene to help officers get onto the roof and take Ohlson into custody on suspicion of animal abuse, neglect and resisting or delaying arrest, police said.

The case remains under investigation, police said. The SFPD asks that anyone with more information on the case contact the agency at 415-575-4444.