Man Facing Felony Charges after Breaking into Elephant Enclosure at PA Zoo

Summary:

PITTSBURGH, PA – An Ohio man who markets himself as a social media influencer is facing felony charges after police say he jumped a fence leading to an elephant enclosure at the Pittsburgh Zoo. Nineteen year-old Noah Thomas, of Austintown, is accused of sneaking into the zoo and then entering into an elephant enclosure, according to a criminal complaint filed Thursday. Police say the elephant charged at Thomas, ramming the gate and attempted to strike Thomas with its trunk. Thomas reportedly jumped out of the enclosure to escape the animal.

A video of the incident was posted on Sept. 22 and was also cited in the criminal complaint as the account belonging to Thomas. Police say that at the time the video at the Pittsburgh Zoo was recorded, there were about 25 or more adults and children in the elephant barn, and several of those people reported the incident to staff at the zoo.

Security found Thomas and a woman who was with him in the zoo’s aquarium. They were reportedly escorted off of the premises. Thomas is charged with causing or risking catastrophe, criminal trespass and conspiracy, third-degree felony charges; recklessly endangering another person and cruelty to animals, second-degree misdemeanors; and theft of services.

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