Man Accused of Killing Cat

Local police have isssued an arrest warrant for a man accused of killing a cat in Palmer Township.

According to the Palmer Police Department, the warrant for 20-year-old Christopher Winchell Jr., of Elyria, Ohio, was issued Wednesday after officers were called to an apartment building by a woman seeking information about an active protection from abuse order against Winchell, who authorities described as her ex-boyfriend.

“During this time, the investigating officer obtained information from the female caller that her cat had been killed by her ex-boyfriend,” police said in an update on Crimewatch. “Further investigation confirmed the cat was killed in the apartment.”

They added that evidence related to the cat’s death was collected at the scene.

Police did not provide a photo of Winchell, but said he is white and five feet 10 inches tall, weighs 125 pounds, has blonde hair and brown eyes and may be traveling back to the Elyria, Ohio, area.

Winchell’s warrant is for charges of Aggravated Cruelty to Animals (Felony 3), Cruelty to Animals (Misdemeanor 2) and Possessing an Instrument of Crime with Intent (Misdemeanor 1), according to the court docket filed in his case.

Police asked that anyone who sees him or knows where he is call the Northampton County non-emergency dispatch number at 610-759-2200 or 911 to report his location, or submit a tip via their Crimewatch site.

Note: All individuals arrested or charged with a crime are presumed innocent until proven guilty. This story was compiled using information from the Palmer Township Police Department and Northampton County court records.