A Hollister teen was charged with animal cruelty Wednesday, after a photo taken from a PetSmart surveillance camera footage helped identify the teen through social media, according to the Gilroy Dispatch.
The incident at the store in the 6700 block of Camino Arroyo happened July 13, authorities said.
“He walked in, picked up a turtle and ultimately ended up killing the animal and tried to dispose of it before walking out," Gilroy Police Department Sgt. Royce Heath told the Gilroy Dispatch.
Police also said the circulation of the social media post helped them contact the teen, whose name is being withheld because of his age, and confirm it was him before citing him with a misdemeanor.
