By Gina Yarbrough
San Marcos, CA–A 36-year-old man is facing multiple charges after he attempted to steal a goat from a residence in San Marcos on Monday afternoon, authorities said.
Sheriff’s deputies arrested Alexander Belinsky for robbery, elder abuse, attempted vehicle theft, residential burglary, animal cruelty, and battery.
The incident was reported around 3:30 p.m. at the home located near Coronado Hills Drive.
A 79-year-old man and his 60-year-old wife heard their goats and dogs making noises and went outside. They saw a man, later identified as Belinsky, trying to steal one of their goats. The couple tried to stop him from taking the animal, but he pushed them to the ground.
Fearing for his and his wife’s safety, the husband went inside his home and grabbed a rifle. In the meantime, Belinsky threw the goat into the front passenger seat of a dune buggy on the property. Belinsky attempted to start the dune buggy but was confronted by the husband, the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department stated in a news release.
Belinsky got out of the dune buggy, charged at the husband, and grabbed his rifle. During the struggle, the rifle went off, hitting Belinsky.
Deputies from the San Marcos Sheriff’s Station arrived on the scene and placed Belinsky under arrest. He was taken to a hospital and treated for a non-life-threatening injury.
The husband suffered cuts on his hands. The wife was not hurt.
The incident is under investigation.
