Burglary and vandalism alleged at Mendo animal Shelter, suspects arrested

Report Number: 2015-15294
Coroner Number: N/A
Incident: 459 PC [Burglary] & 594(b)(1) PC [Felony Vandalism]
Location: 298 Plant Rd. Ukiah, Ca.
Date: 06-25-2015 Time: 8:06 PM

Victims:
Victim #1:
Name: Mendocino Co. Animal Shelter
Age:
Address: 298 Plant Rd.
City/State: Ukiah, Ca.



Suspects:
Suspect #1:
Name: Joseph Valtrakis
Age: 20
Address:
City/State: Hydesville, Ca.



On 06-25-2015 at about 10:50 PM Mendocino County Sheriff’s Deputies were dispatched to the Mendocino County Animal Shelter regarding several canines being loose in the area. Deputies responded to location and when they arrived they observed several dogs (10-15) running around in the parking lot of the animal shelter.  Also, in the parking lot was suspect Joseph Viltrakis with the canines.

Viltrakis told deputies he was at the animal shelter to retrieve his girlfriend’s "service dog". Viltrakis noted the dogs in the parking lot all escaped the animal shelter after he had been helped by an unknown employee who had left just prior to the deputies arriving on scene.

Upon further investigation deputies determined no shelter employees had assisted Viltrakis, that he had entered the animal shelters kennels by forcing open two locked gates.  He then forced open approximately 25-30 locked kennels causing damage to the kennel gates latches and then letting several dogs free from the kennels.  Several of the dogs managed to exit the facility altogether and were in the parking lot running around in a pack when deputies arrived on scene.  Viltrakis was arrested for burglary and felony vandalism and incarcerated at the Mendocino County jail, to be held in lieu of $ 15,000 bail.