Santa Rosa man recovers stolen goats thanks to community tip
- Three goats belonging to Shawn Ganapoler were stolen from his home in Santa Rosa, California, on September 17.
- A community member's tip led to the recovery of the goats on September 27, after they were identified at a Cotati residence.
- Agustin Alcazar-Varelas was arrested for his involvement in the theft, and the investigation continues as authorities search for a woman seen in surveillance footage.
In Santa Rosa, California, a man named Shawn Ganapoler was reunited with three goats that had been stolen from his home on September 17. The goats, named Nacho, Atlas, and Chili, were reported missing, prompting Ganapoler to express his deep bond with them, particularly with Nacho, whom he hand-raised. On September 27, a community member contacted law enforcement after seeing news reports about the theft, suspecting that the goats they had purchased might be the stolen ones. Detectives confirmed the goats' identities at a home in Cotati, where they were found. The family who had bought the goats revealed that they purchased them from Agustin Alcazar-Varelas, a Santa Rosa resident. Following a probation search at Alcazar-Varelas's residence, authorities located the last goat, Chili. Alcazar-Varelas was arrested on multiple charges, including felony grand theft of animals and drug-related offenses. He was cited and released on a $20,000 bail for a probation violation. The investigation continues as detectives seek to identify a woman seen in surveillance footage during the goats' theft. This incident highlights the importance of community vigilance and the role it plays in recovering stolen property. Ganapoler's emotional connection to his goats underscores the significance of animals in people's lives, and the successful recovery serves as a reminder of the power of community involvement in law enforcement efforts.