Esteban Birelas in a Lake County Mugshot
Five suspects were reportedly arrested earlier this month when the Yolo County Sheriff’s Department, assisted by officers from the Davis Police Department, raided a recent cockfight, according to an official press release.
According to Yolo County Sheriff, the department had received a tip that a cockfight would take place at 23490 County Road 28 on Saturday, May 17. Officers reportedly arrived at the residence at about 11 pm, where they found a large barn on the property that had been outfitted with a cockfighting ring. Upon arrival, officers reportedly found a cockfight in progress with about 70 in attendance, including two juveniles.
Although attendees reportedly ran off when law enforcement arrived at the scene, five suspects were reportedly arrested at the scene on various charges, including felony animal cruelty, conspiracy, and possession of bird fighting equipment (spurs), and were transported to the Yolo County Monroe Detention Center. Another 14 suspects were reportedly cited for attending a cockfight.
At the scene, officers reportedly recovered 10 dead roosters, 52 live roosters, cockfighting spurs and approximately $15,000 in cash. Another 10 roosters were reportedly confiscated at the scene, but had to be euthanized as a result of their injuries.
Those arrested and booked into the Monroe Center were:
- Esteban Birelas, 34, of Dixon
- Fililogonio Escarcega, 52, of Petaluma
- Miguel Angel Garcia, 51, of Richmond
- Jorge Gonzalez Garcia, 50, of Richmond
- Luis Antonio Bravo Cabrera, 40, from Sacramento
Four of the subjects were reportedly held on $20,000 bail, except for Birelas who was held on $60,000 bail. Birelas had been arrested last December on drug charges while in Lake County. All subjects had reportedly bailed out of custody.
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