A man from Scottsdale, Arizona was apprehended in Alabama on Friday for charges of animal cruelty, according to officials.
36-year-old Lester Paul Richmond was arrested in July for his connection to the abandonment of a deceased canine. The dog was discovered in an alley near Miller Road and Latham Street with its mouth taped shut, a month before the initial arrest.
After the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office returned the case to the Scottsdale Police Department for further investigation, Richmond was ultimately released.
In December, MCAO referred the case back to the authorities in an attempt to arrest Richmond. However, he could not be found.
Richmond was taken into custody in Troy, Alabama and is anticipated to be transported back to Arizona in the next month.
According to a press release from Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell, my office expresses its appreciation to the Scottsdale Police Department, the public, and the Troy Police Department for their diligent work in ensuring that the defendant is held accountable for their actions.
What occurred in the animal cruelty case in Scottsdale?
The case resulted in the arrest of two suspects, including Richmond and 32-year-old Heather Auditor, after a traffic stop was conducted.
Following the execution of a search warrant, detectives found further evidence at the suspects’ residence.
On June 27, a pedestrian discovered the body of a puppy, leading to an investigation by authorities. This investigation covered the surrounding neighborhood and involved reviewing surveillance footage in the area.
Furthermore, investigators uncovered surveillance footage which revealed Richmond’s car present in the alley during the same period the puppy was abandoned there. Additionally, they managed to acquire video evidence of the two suspects discussing their plans to dispose of the puppy.
