An Arizona man charged with sexually assaulting a pony at a petting zoo has also been identified as the person who tried to steal an ATM from a Wyoming gas station a week earlier, KNXV reported.
Jacob Alan Blatchford, 27, of Tucson, attempted to steal an ATM from a Sinclair gasoline station on Aug. 4, 2018, according to the Cheyenne Police Department. Blatchford allegedly used an excavator to break through the outer glass of the station and attempted to pry the ATM off the floor, police said. Officer Kevin Malatesta said Blatchford, 37, stole a truck, trailer and excavator from different locations in Laramie County, KGAB reported.
Blatchford brought his dog to the gas station and fled when the gas station alarms were activated, KNXV reported.
On Aug. 13, Blatchford was arrested in Pima County on charges of sexually assaulting a petting zoo pony and burglary, the television station reported..
Cheyenne police were able to establish the connection when comparing the pictures of the crime scenes and identified Blatchford's dog from his arrest in Arizona.
On Aug. 13, surveillance units with Tucson Police Department and Pima County Sheriff's Department observed Blatchford allegedly climbing over a fence of a property that contained several horses, KVOA reported. According to court documents, Blatchford caught one of the horses with a rope and allegedly committed sexual acts with the animal, the television station reported.
Blatchford remains in custody in Pima County in lieu of a $50,000 cash bond, KNXV reported.
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