A man accused of stealing monkeys from dalas Zoo has been arrested, believed to be lurking in the aquarium, possibly to commit his next animal theft.
On Tuesday, Davion Irvinwho was later identified as a person of interest in the monkey theft, was eventually arrested at the Dallas Aquarium, the police department told New York Post Office Friday.
Man who stole monkey from Dallas Zoo, caught while in aquarium
“A gentleman later identified as Davion Dwight Irvin intercepted an employee of the Dallas World Aquarium to ask questions regarding one of our animals,” an aquarium spokesman said. told The Post.
The spokesperson went on to say that “employees immediately recognized Mr. Irvin from prior reporting on an incident involving the suspected theft of two tamarins from the Dallas Zoo.”
Davion Irvin (24) charged in connection with missing monkeys at @DallasZoo. @DallasPD received word that Irvin was at the Dallas World Aquarium, Thursday, near the animal exhibit. Police are investigating whether he is involved in other criminal cases of the zoo. @FOX4 pic.twitter.com/AR6OXx7pkt
– David Sentendrey (@DavidSFOX4) February 3, 2023
The employee rushed to call the police, but when the police arrived, the 24-year-old had already left and was walking towards a light train.
He was later arrested in Downtown Dallas, the outlet reports.
Meanwhile, Irvin has been charged with six counts of cruelty to animals for abducting small, white-bearded monkeys.
Animals safely rehabilitated earlier this week, suspect accused of also killing endangered vulture
According to the zoo, the animals were safely recovered earlier this week from their cage at an abandoned house in Lancaster the day after the theft.
It remains unclear if Irvin was similarly responsible for a number of other strange events at the zoo, including the death of an endangered vulture.
Zoo staff found the bird, named Pin, on January 21 after its cage was broken into.
An arrest was made in the case of missing monkeys from the Dallas Zoo. Ours @rlopezwfaa said Davion Dwight Irvin was found Thursday near the Dallas World Aquarium, where he was inspecting net crates. Working to see if he is involved in other Dallas Zoo incidents pic.twitter.com/qr3pdLKZtW
– Megan Mitchell (@megan1mitchell) February 3, 2023
“I have worked in zoos for over 30 years and have never been in a situation like what happened on Saturday. It’s unprecedented and very disturbing,” zoo president Gregg Hudson said of the incident.
The animal shelter even offered a $10,000 prize for any information leading to Pin’s death. That figure eventually grew to $25,000 after the monkeys were abducted from the zoo.
The suspect incarcerated in the Dallas County Jail was also charged with leaving the big cat outside its enclosure
Some time before the bird died, a leopard was seen outside its habitat. Zoo officials said someone purposely cut the enclosure to get a leopard named Nova.
“The investigation into all cases at the zoo is ongoing and further charges may be filed,” police said.
Irvin was booked into the Dallas County Jail.
