Sheriff's investigators arrest man for animal shelter break-in

JURUPA VALLEY, Calif. (FOX 11) - Investigators arrest a man wanted for breaking into the West Riverside County Animal Shelter and opening more than 20 kennels last Sunday morning. The break-in left four dogs dead and several more missing.

Riverside County Sheriff's investigators took 42-year old Jason Johnson into custody at about 1:30am Thursday morning. They say he broke into the Jurupa Valley shelter and opened more than 20 kennels to create a diversion to hide his real motive - which was to take three dogs in quarantine.

The stunt left dozens of dogs roaming the shelter. Two dogs were found dead on the premises and two more were hit by cars.

The three quarantined dogs he took were all due for a hearing next week on whether they should be euthanized.

Johnson faces charges of vandalism, burglary, and animal cruelty.