Prosecute to Full Extent of the Law - Stolen Sterling Shelter Puppies Case

1. Sylvia M. Ortiz, 22, of 10 Everett Gaylord Blvd., Apt. 8, Worcester MA

2. Jose L. Figueroa, 22, of 12 Winfield St., Apt. 1R, Worcester MA - who delivered four of the nine stolen puppies to an apartment house at 10 Everett Gaylord Blvd (Sylvia Ortiz). Thursday, was arraigned yesterday in Central District Court on four counts of receiving stolen property valued at more than $250.
Court records state co-defendant Jose L. Figueroa, 22, of 12 Winfield St., Apt. 1R, allegedly told investigators he and Mr. Benitez broke into the shelter and took the nine puppies to the city. Assistant District Attorney Roberta O'Brien said Mr. Benitez kicked in the door to the shelter. The puppies were brought to the city and divided among three people, she said.

3. Jorge Benitez, 29, of 53 May St., Apt. 2, Worcester MA charged with nine counts of receiving stolen property over $250 in Central District Court

for the breaking/entering case at the Animal Shelter Inc. of Sterling, MA and the theft of 9 puppies.

The people arrested are already well known to the police some with extensive criminal histories and to hear that the shelter had their door kicked in, and 9 puppies all recovering from major surgery just hours prior is disgusting! These puppies were thrown in the trunk of a car - all 9 of them!

These puppies were ripped out of their kennels in the middle of a cold, dark night (after the criminals stole and trashed a car) while recovering - when they were supposed to be kept warm, dry and fed is horrifying....only to be thrown like trash in to the back of a car trunk is shameful and inexcusable!

NO DECENT HUMAN BEING WOULD EVER DO SUCH A HORRIBLE THING.  Two of the puppies are still unaccounted for and animal lovers, shelter supporters, staff and volunteers have all risked their own lives to search the worst parts of Worcester in hopes of finding them....

We beg you to advocate for the Sterling Shelter, homeless animals everywhere and the stolen puppies who are innocent victims that need YOUR VOICE to speak for them. This sort of cruelty deserves the harshest punishment possible and they should be used as an example that pet theft is a serious crime with serious consequences.

We hope you and all the law enforcement involved, will take this case seriously and do everything in your power to make sure these criminals stay in jail where they belong and that NO BAIL be granted, no public service allowed, no probation and fines,  and no slap on the wrist.

These criminals deserve to suffer like the puppies have suffered and continue to suffer just like the two puppies out there still missing who have no resources to eat, sleep in a warm comfortable bed, and to have the affection and attention of loving families. Suffering dehydration, hypothermia, starvation, cars and coyotes.

These puppies will forever be traumatized, as will our staff and volunteers, supporters and adopters - and we hope these evil criminals will be punished and suffer like the puppies they stole.

We appreciate and thank you for your support in helping to become the voice of those who have no voice to speak for themselves%u2026