SANTA ANA (CNS) - A Newport Beach man was sentenced to nine months in county jail and five years of formal probation after he pleaded guilty to animal cruelty, theft and other charges in connection with the killing of his roommate's dog, authorities announced today.
Orange County prosecutors said Justin James Pope, 27, killed his roommate's dog on Aug. 30, 2017, then called the roommate to inform her of the dog's death, according to a statement from the Newport Beach Police Department.
The roommate called police and officers responded to the home and discovered blood, urine and feces in suspicious locations, but no property missing from the home, the statement said.
After officers left, Pope staged a burglary, removed evidence and disposed of his roommate's television in a nearby apartment complex, police said.
Later that evening, Pope's roommate called police to report a burglary at the residence. Her television, Pope's television and Xbox and other evidence previously in the home during the earlier investigation were missing, the statement said.
Police located the missing TV and Xbox in the trunk of Pope's vehicle and arrested him at the scene.
Photo: Getty Images