June 7, 2018 – A third suspect has been arrested in connection with the theft of 11 animals from the Santa Fe College Teaching Zoo. Daniel Jose Dipasquale is charged with attempting to deal in stolen merchandise. Dipasquale is accused of offering $3,000 to purchase Mani, the squirrel monkey that was taken from the SF Teaching Zoo in the overnight hours of May 29-30.
Mani and six of the 11 missing animals were recovered Monday, June 4. Four animals, two gopher tortoises and two Florida box turtles remain missing. The gopher tortoises are in need of medical treatments, which they were receiving when they were at the zoo. The gopher tortoises and one of the box turtles have been missing since the first burglary of the SF Teaching Zoo, during the overnight hours of May 23-24.
The Santa Fe College Police Department is continuing their investigation and it is possible more individuals are connected with this case. Sedrick Price was arrested June 5 and charged with grand theft. Austin Bruno was arrested June 7 and is charged with two counts of burglary and two counts of grand theft.
Anyone with any information related to any individuals involved,or the remaining missing animals should call the Santa Fe College Police Department at 352-395-5519