This article was written by BenitoLink intern Camille Mattish. Lea este articulo en español aqui.
Authorities believe Anthony Madruga, 51, was arrested Feb. 6 and charged under suspicion of burglary, probation violations, two counts of animal cruelty, and theft after the killing of two farm animals at Hollister High School with the intention to eat them.
Commander Adam Lobdell with the San Benito County Sheriff’s Office said Madruga was arraigned for felonies cruelty to animals and burglary, and a misdemeanor for vandalism.
Lobdell told BenitoLink there was no indication that Madruga was drunk or high the night he allegedly slaughtered the animals and that there are no concerns that he would have attacked any people since the campus was empty.
Lobdell said school surveillance video from around 11 p.m. showed a person who deputies believe to be Madruga carrying an axe, breaking a lock and entering the agriculture building, which is located near the San Benito riverbed. Around eight hours later school staff discovered a slaughtered goat and a missing pig.
Lobdell said the goat was left in the agriculture building and the slaughtered pig was taken in a wheelbarrow in the direction of the riverbed. He said the pig and wheelbarrow were found in Madruga’s encampment in the riverbed.
He added deputies contacted Madruga and found live ammunition in his possession and about half a pound of methamphetamine in his camp.
Lobdell said Madruga, who was already on probation, didn’t provide a statement as to why he allegedly killed the animals.
“We found the pig hanging from a tree, which is common if you’re going to process the meat,” Lobdell said. “So I can only speculate at this point that, with Super Bowl Sunday, that was going to be the feast.”
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