Suspect in kitten torture case apprehended following chase on rooftop

Arrest Made After Kitten Torture Incident

On Wednesday, San Francisco police took into custody a man who allegedly tortured and killed a kitten in a bank entrance. This came after a chase that ended on the roof of a luxury hotel.

The San Francisco Police Department was alerted to the situation on July 2 when they learned of an ongoing animal abuse investigation by the local Department of Animal Care and Control.

According to SFPD spokeswoman Alison Maxey, the man had entered the ATM area of a bank located in the 1800 block of Market Street the day before, carrying a small kitten, which he then “violently tortured and killed.”

Following the incident, the suspect fled the scene with the deceased animal in his hands.

In the days that followed, investigators were able to collect evidence that led them to identify 33-year-old William Olson from Reno, Nevada, as the suspect.

SFPD officers, who monitor illegal drug activities in the Tenderloin neighborhood, tracked Olson to a hotel situated in the 100 block of Fell Street near Civic Center, where he was staying.

On Wednesday, officers, utilizing a police drone, executed a search warrant at the hotel. When they called for Olson to exit his room, the drone operator informed them he had fled to the roof.

As one officer asked, “Where is he running?”, the response was “I’m on the roof.” Olson jumped from the hotel roof to that of a neighboring building while officers kept watch from the hotel windows.

Police urged Olson to surrender, leading to a tense standoff. Wild footage from the scene captures officers attempting to persuade the suspect to come down from the rooftop.

One officer said, “You have nowhere to go,” trying to convince him to turn himself in.

A fire truck from the San Francisco Fire Department arrived shortly thereafter and extended a ladder to the roof. Three officers ascended the ladder, continuously calling for Olson to surrender.

Eventually, Olson fell to his knees, placing his hands on his head, and a police officer moved in to handcuff him. No injuries were reported during the arrest.

Olson was booked into San Francisco County Jail on charges including animal cruelty and resisting arrest. Should he be convicted, he could face a fine of up to $25,000 and possible prison time.