INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — Unique footprints left behind at the disturbing scene at Animal Control led authorities to connect an accused hit-and-run driver to vandalism involving dead animals and spent fire extinguishers.
Authorities arrested Julian Anthony Gonzalez, 23, of Orlando early Tuesday morning following the report of a hit-and-run in the area of the 6200 block of 41st Avenue involving a white pickup truck.
Prior to the crash, which was reported shortly after 5 a.m., a man later identified as Gonzalez broke into Animal Control and discharged several fire extinguishers and scattered the frozen carcasses of numerous animals about the floor.
Animal Control collects roadkill and stores it in the freezer until the carcasses can be incinerated.
Footprints left in the fire extinguisher dust matched those of Gonzalez’s shoes. The two footprints were distinct from each other, being two different patterns, according to the arrest report. Those patterns matched the soles of the shoes Gonzalez was wearing.
Authorities responding to the hit-and-run found a truck matching the description in the area. The truck had been reported stolen and was driving without its lights on and unable to maintain its lane. The driver, later identified as Gonzalez, fled authorities and refused to exit the vehicle once stopped. Authorities pulled him out through the driver’s window and placed him under arrest.
The Sheriff’s Office was notified a couple hours later that Animal Control had been vandalized after Animal Control Manager Jason Oglivie discovered the damage shortly before 8 a.m. Tuesday.
Oglivie reported entering the Animal Control building and finding multiple discharged fire extinguishers on the ground, their white powder coating the floor, and dead animals scattered about the floor.
According to the arrest report, Gonzalez did not offer a motive for the vandalism at Animal Control.
Gonzalez is currently being held at the county jail without bond. He faces several felony charges including felony grand theft auto, fleeing and elude, burglary of a structure, and four counts of preventing the extinguishing of a fire.
Gonzalez also faces numerous misdemeanor charges including resisting arrest without violence, leaving a scene of an accident with property damage, driving without a valid license, refusing to submit to testing, driving under the influence, and criminal mischief between $200 and $1,000.
