LEDE: An early morning incident at Pierce College’s Swine Unit has resulted in an arrest, raising questions about the circumstances that led to the unusual occurrence on the campus. Deputy Steve Steggler, stationed at the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s office on the Pierce College campus, reported the incident that took place on January 12. The situation involved two individuals and a red Ford pickup truck with three pigs in the camper shell [Steggler’s Report, 2023].
On the morning of January 13, Deputy Steve Steggler, stationed at the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s office on the Pierce College campus, reported an unusual incident that occurred earlier on January 12. While patrolling the campus at 4 a.m., Steggler spotted flashing lights near the Swine Unit. With the assistance of Officer Peter Patter, the officers approached the Swine Unit to find two men actively chasing pigs within the area. The situation prompted the officers to intervene and address the matter with caution.
The two men were instructed to raise their hands after Steggler and Patter turned off their flashlights. Despite their efforts, one of the men managed to flee the scene, even as warning shots were fired in the air. The man who remained at the scene was identified as William Wart, a 19-year-old Pierce agriculture student residing at 19032 Roseville Road, Woodland Hills. Wart disclosed that the other individual who had fled was his roommate, Tod Terror, an 18-year-old student at Pierce College.
Subsequent investigation led to the discovery of a 1994 red Ford pickup truck containing three pigs in the camper shell within the Swine Unit. The truck’s registration matched the information provided by William Wart, further connecting the individuals to the scene and raising questions about their intentions.
Mick Sears, chair of the Pierce College agriculture department, confirmed that both Wart and Terror were agriculture majors at the institution. Sears conveyed that the two students had expressed ambitions of starting a farm together. He maintained that the incident likely resulted from a misunderstanding rather than any criminal intent.
Officer Helen Hart from the LAPD West Valley Division provided additional information, disclosing that authorities were currently searching for Tod Terror, who managed to evade capture. Meanwhile, William Wart was taken into custody and was being held on $5,000 bail. A preliminary hearing for Wart is scheduled for January 15, providing a legal platform for the resolution of the case [Hart, 2023].
As the investigation unfolds, the Pierce College community and authorities are keen on understanding the motives and circumstances that led to the incident at the Swine Unit. The arrest serves as a reminder of the vigilance required to maintain campus security and address unusual activities promptly.
References
Steggler, S. (2023). Incident Report: Swine Unit. Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.
Hart, H. (2023). Personal Communication. LAPD West Valley Division.
