It was the blue suitcase that led police to the pit bull’s killer.
On Wednesday, more than a month after Ollie was found in a suitcase with more than 30 stab wounds, Hollywood police announced the arrest of Brendan Evans, 31.
Evans, who has a rap sheet including an arrest in 2012 on domestic battery charges, now faces a charge of aggravated animal cruelty.
Police say the DNA on the suitcase linked back to Evans, who is on probation for a bank robbery in Hernando County in central Florida. Hollywood police had arrested him Nov. 15 after DNA linked him to a residential burglary in the city.
“We will not tolerate any form of animal cruelty or violence in our city,” Acting Police Chief Chris O’Brien said in a news release. “Each reported case of animal cruelty, be it physical abuse or neglect, is disturbing, and this case is particularly heartbreaking.”
Evans told police “he had a right to kill animals in the name of voodoo,’’ according to the arrest report.
Hollywood police said when they searched his apartment, they found blood and animals remains throughout.
“Brendan Evans’ apartment held suspect cat paws, suspect rats with scalps removed, legs removed, tails severed and heads decapitated.’’
On
Oct. 10, Hollywood police received a 911 call reporting an abandoned suitcase at 1945 Lee St. When officers arrived, they saw a paw sticking out and realized there was a dog inside.
The pit bull — later named Ollie — was taken to VCA Hollywood Animal Hospital for treatment. According to Evans’ police report, detectives recovered a red dog collar, rope and a black sock from inside the Rockland suitcase.
People around the world rallied for Ollie, raising more than $30,000. But Ollie didn’t survive. The police report said Ollie suffered 37 stab wounds. Police said the veterinarian determined that being shoved in the suitcase and being deprived of oxygen likely contributed to Ollie’s death.
By the end of October, Hollywood police said they had detectives assigned to the case and announced a
$35,000 reward for information leading to an arrest.
According to police, a laboratory analysis report from Oct. 27 determined that Evans was a match for the DNA found on the outside of the suitcase, the top and side of the suitcase and the zipper.
Police soon learned that Evans lived on Lee Street. Police paid Evans a visit, according to the report, but Evans denied his involvement.
Last week, police executed a
search warrant at a home in the 1900 block of Lee Street.