Six of the eight missing goats from Stafford County were found and reunited with their owners.
An investigation found that a man from Fauquier County tried to sell the goats to a Halal meat market in Fredericksburg.
Two Three goats remain missing.
Here’s more in press release:
Calleja
Stafford Detectives received a tip late Tuesday night that led to a search warrant being executed early Wednesday morning at Safa Halal Meat Market located at 213 Central Rd in the City of Fredericksburg.
Detectives received a tip that [the suspect] had sold eight goats to the Safa Halal Meat Market. Stafford Detectives later learned that [the suspect] had attempted to sell eight goats but the Safa Halal Meat Market only purchased six of the goats.
Stafford Detectives were able to recover all three goats that had been stolen from the Equestrian Drive address as well as three of the five goats that had been stolen from the Green Acre Drive address. The goats were unharmed and later returned to their owners. Stafford Detectives were assisted by Stafford
Animal Control Officers as well as the Fredericksburg Police Department.
Yesterday evening Stafford Detectives, with the assistance of the Fauquier County Sheriff’s Office, executed a search warrant at Calleja’s address located at 4071 Summerduck Rd in Fauquier County. Detectives were unable to locate the other two goats. Calleja was arrested by Fauquier County Deputies near his home on the above mentioned charges. He was incarcerated at the Fauquier County Adult Detention Center under a
$5000 secure bond. [The suspect] has since bonded out.
“Tonight two families have been reunited with their beloved pets” stated Sheriff David Decatur. “This case is a perfect example of the media, the public and the Sheriff’s Office working together to solve crime.” “We are hoping that someone out there knows the whereabouts of the other two goats so that they can also be reunited with their owners.”
Stafford Detectives are continuing their investigation into this matter. If anyone has any information about this crime they are asked to contact the Sheriff’s Office at 540-658-4400, call Crime Solvers at 540-659-2020 (caller may remain anonymous) or TEXT “Stafford” + your tip to 274637 (CRIMES).
Steven Calleja, Jr., 33, of 4071 Summerduck Road in Fauquier County is charged with two counts of felony larceny of an animal.
