PHOENIX — A Phoenix man was arrested after allegedly choking his girlfriend and injuring her pet rats, killing two of them.
Phoenix police report that on February 28, they responded to an apartment near 87th Avenue and McDowell Road for a domestic violence call.
Police say 21-year-old Armando Xavier Olivas was upset with his girlfriend after she broke up with him. He allegedly grabbed her by the throat and choked her, then threw her on the floor.
He then reportedly told her, "Now you'll see what I do to your rats."
The victim told police that she had four pet rats named Bentley, Timothy, Thorton, and Duffy, that she had raised since they were young.
Olivas allegedly threw one rat on the floor, breaking its leg and giving it a bloody nose.
He allegedly threw another rat at a parked car, resulting in its death. Olivas threw a third rat onto a parking lot awning, which caused the rat to die.
Olivas allegedly threw a fourth rat into the distance, but it survived.
The victim managed to call the police before Olivas reportedly broke her phone.
Court documents show that the police saw marks on the woman’s neck.
Olivas reportedly showed police where he buried one of the dead rats.
Police also observed that Olivas had his bags packed and told the victim that he was leaving the state.
Court records show that Olivas left Arizona earlier to avoid taking mandatory domestic violence classes which were issued after an arrest involving an assault on the victim’s mother.
Olivas has been charged with aggravated assault and four counts of cruelty to animals.
If you or someone you know is the victim of domestic or sexual violence, there are several local and national organizations offering resources. Anyone in need of immediate assistance should contact either the Maricopa County Shelter Line at 480-890-3039, the National 24-Hour Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233, the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673), or the Arizona Coalition to End Sexual and Domestic Violence at 602-279-2900. A number of organizations are available 24 hours a day for anyone at risk of experiencing domestic or sexual violence. See a directory of domestic violence programs here.
