NEWS RELEASE
ONTARIO PROVINCIAL POLICE
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9:05 p.m. update
Suspect Arrested
SPRINGWATER TOWNSHIP, ON - Alex Perlmutter, 21-years old of Ottawa, Ontario who was wanted for the Break, Enter and Theft of the animals from the Elmvale Jungle Zoo on Tuesday May 29, 2018 has been arrested in Mount Albert, Ontario.
Updates will be provided only as the ongoing investigation permits.
The animals at present have not yet been accounted for.
Original release: 5 p.m.
SPRINGWATER TOWNSHIP - On May 29, 2018, at approximately 6:30 a.m., officers from the Huronia West Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) responded to a report of a Break and Enter at the Elmvale Jungle Zoo, which is located at 14191 County Road 27, Springwater Township.
From the investigation that has followed, police have been able to determine that sometime overnight; the person(s) responsible for this criminal act gained access to the zoo by cutting a hole in a chain link fence and then proceeded to steal three animals which included an 18 inch tortoise, a black and white Lemur and a black Gibbon monkey. The value of the stolen animals is in excess of $20,000.
Since this incident was reported to the OPP, detectives from the Huronia West OPP Community Street Crime Unit (CSCU), the Lanark County Community Street Crime Unit, the OPP Organized Crime Enforcement Bureau (OCEB) and the Ottawa Police Service have been following up on a number of tips and by utilizing a number of investigative resources. As a result, a suspect has been identified and is being sought, however at present, his exact whereabouts remains unknown.
The OPP is requesting the assistance of the public in locating:
- Alex Perlmutter, 21 years old of Ottawa, Ontario.
- Male white, brown hair, blue eyes, thin build, 5'11, 131lbs.
Police are asking anyone with information to contact the OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). You can submit your information online at www.p3tips.com or if you have any information on this crime or any other crime. Crime Stoppers does not subscribe to call display and you will remain anonymous. Being anonymous, you will not be required to testify in court and your information may lead to a cash reward of up to $2,000.
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