BC

A Vancouver man who used his cell phone to videotape himself violently torturing a kitten for more than 50 minutes was arrested Thursday in Richmond.

Jordan Lucas, who was also wanted for breach of probation on a number of unrelated charges, was arrested on an outstanding warrant and will face one count of animal cruelty.

Lucas has a long criminal history in the Okanagan, with multiple convictions ranging from Assault, Break and Enter, Theft over $5,000 and Possession of a Controlled Substance. The latest conviction occurred in Vernon in 2009.

He's also facing charges in Vancouver for Break and Enter, Carrying a Concealed Weapon, Dangerous Operation of a Motor Vehicle, Possession of Stolen Property and Fleeing a Police Officer.

“On April 26 we were contacted by a woman who had purchased a used cell phone,” says Marcie Moriarty, general manager of cruelty investigations for the BC SPCA. “To her horror, the cell phone still contained a video lasting more than 50 minutes of a helpless kitten being violently abused and tortured.”

At several points during the video the kitten groaned and cried and appeared to be injured and disoriented.

“On the video only a male’s hands are visible, but the left hand had a distinctive tattoo,” says Moriarty.

“With the assistance of the Vancouver Police Department we were able to trace the phone and make an exact match of the tattoo and identify Jordan Lucas.”

Charges were approved in the case earlier this month and a warrant was issued for Lucus’ arrest.

If convicted, Lucas faces up to five years in jail, a fine of up to $10,000 and up to a lifetime prohibition of owning or having custody of animals.