According to investigators, Armando Mendez Jr., filed a police report alleging a burglary to the We Care Wildlife Sanctuary, where numerous exotic animals were stolen totaling $53,400. 

As investigators continued to follow all leads, they determined that the Sanctuary had several exotic animals previously removed by authorities.  To avoid further sanction for the remaining animals, Santiago gathered seven lemurs, three red-handed tamarins, five marmosets, one cotton top, and one white faced capuchin, and drove the animals to North Carolina. Santiago then staged a burglary to the Sanctuary, and claimed the animals were stolen.

Detectives determined that Santiago, filed a false police report and provided false information during the course of their investigation. He was arrested and charged accordingly.

All animals are safe and being attended to in North Carolina.

The investigation continues.

UPDATE #1: On Wednesday, March 7, 2018, Armando Mendez surrendered and confessed to his involvement in the above incident. He was arrested and charged accordingly.