A Mount Shasta man was arrested Thursday afternoon after the Mount Shasta Police Department received a tip that property matching the description of items stolen from the Siskiyou Humane Society Adoption Center were in a garage at 1209 Wertz Road.

The MSPD reported that, with permission from the resident of the home, officers located 25 year old Dylan Slade in the garage “and a considerable amount of the stolen property in his possession.”

Slade was arrested at approximately 3:20 p.m. on Oct. 26 and booked into the Siskiyou County Jail for felony charges of Burglary and Possession of Stolen Property, according to a MSPD press release.

MSPD believes there is a possibility of additional suspects and encourages anyone who has information regarding this case to contact Officer Devon Priddy at (530) 926-7540.

As stated in the release, the department responded to the Humane Society at 1208 N. Mt. Shasta Blvd. just before 8 a.m. Thursday and determined the building had been entered through a back window.

“Offices were ransacked and numerous items were stolen including computers, animal chip scanners, prescription drugs, a safe, hypodermic needles, medical supplies and other items,” the MSPD reported.

Cats had been released out of their cages, and the two that left the building were recovered.

One item of particular concern was a safe containing narcotics that could be fatal to humans, according to the release. It was recovered and had not been opened. In all, MSPD reported that the approximate value of items stolen was around $9,500, of which $2,700 worth had not been recovered as of Friday afternoon.

The department reported it was able to recover a considerable amount of evidence at the scene.

The Humane Society also suffered damages of approximately $2,300, and was forced to close for two days.

Humane Society Shelter Manager Kim Latos said $800 worth of vaccine was thrown on the floor and in the trash, while two computers, a microscope, and some other equipment was damaged.

She said most of what was still missing as of Friday afternoon was “a lot of medication and medical equipment.”

Along with the larger and more valuable items that were taken, Latos said boxes of staples, popsicles, ice cream, popcorn and coffee were taken.

Thursday was a roller coaster of emotions for her and others involved with the Humane Society, Latos said, especially because of the extensive efforts that led to the opening of the new adoption center facility earlier this year.

The day began with a feeling of “devastation” after walking into the building and seeing what had occurred, according to Latos.

She said her office was “turned upside down” and some personal items belonging to staff were missing, including a flash drive on which program specialist Erin Wagner had saved irreplaceable photographs, some of deceased pets.

Latos said her first thought was to check and make sure all the animals were OK. All were accounted for but one cat and one kitten, who were found later outside.

Later in the day, as items were returned, including Wagner’s flash drive, other personal items and much of the equipment, Latos said the feeling turned to “overwhelming joy and gratitude.”

She said she was grateful for “the wonderful police officers who jumped right on it” and grateful for the support of community members.

“What I love more than anything is how solid this community is,” Latos said. “I was so impressed with the responses on Facebook and the person who tipped off police.” She said Officer Priddy “was outstanding,” and Lieutenant Joe Restine “was great.”

Also expressing great gratitude for the quick response by MSPD was neighbor Janese Patterson, who had items stolen out of her parked car, most important of which was a flashlight.

A lifelong Mount Shasta resident, Patterson said she originally got the flashlight for her husband, Everett, in 1995, and he scratched his three initials on it. She said Everett died in 2010, and other items that belonged to him were later stolen by a family member.

“I felt like I had lost him all over again,” Janese said of her feeling when she realized the flashlight had been stolen.

Later, when Officer Priddy returned the flashlight, she said “it was like getting a piece of my husband back.”

“I am so grateful to Officer Priddy and the Lieutenant and MSPD,” she said. “I will forever be indebted to all of them. They are here to serve and protect us, and I want them to know that I’m here to serve and protect them back.”