New Charges Lodged Against Man Accused Of Decapitating Cat

CLEARWATER, FL — A Clearwater man arrested last month after being accused of decapitating the family cat has been charged again after a convenience store clerk identified him as the man who assaulted him last November.

Joshua Pena-Cedillo, 22, is accused of stealing items from the Circle A Food Store at 1201 Sunset Point Blvd. and striking the store clerk in the head when he attempted to prevent Pena-Cedilla from leaving with the stolen items.

The crime occurred Nov. 2 at 5:35 p.m. The clerk said Pena-Cedilla came in wearing a large hooded winter coat with a gray face cover. He selected several items of food and concealed them in the coat, said the store clerk. When he attempted to stop Pena-Cedilla, there was a struggle and Pena-Cedilla's face was exposed.

Detectives said Pena produced a folding pocket knife and struck the clerk in the head while the knife was closed. Pena fled the scene. The clerk was taken to the hospital where he was treated for a head injury.

After the story of Pena-Cedilla's April 23 arrest for beheading the family cat and sticking the head on a stake in the back yard was publicized, the clerk recognized Pena-Cedilla and called the sheriff's office. Pena-Cedilla was already in custody for the animal cruelty charge. Charges of aggravated battery and petit theft were added.

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Police Find Severed Head Of Family Cat Taped To Stake In Yard