New Information in Case of Man Arrested Trying to Free a Whale
Read the police report in the arrest of Chris Lagergren, caught allegedly trying to free a whale
Some new information is coming out about the allegations against the man arrested on vandalism and trespassing charges at the Marine Mammal Conservancy in Florida. News reports have been vague, but have indicated that Chris Lagergren was arrested tampering with a fence in an attempt to free a captive whale. The police report sheds more light on the allegations, which include, among other things:
*The FBI alerted local police that Langraum was in town, was “affiliated” with the Animal Liberation Front, and was going to “attempt to release any caged animals/mammals into their natural habitat”.
*Police had observed Lagergren “for the past two weeks standing on the Hampton Inn property, video taping the Marine Mammal property and its staff”.
*Lagergren and another unidentified male were observed by police vandalizing the whale holding area by “damaging and taking apart the fence which was in the water. The males pulled several PVC pipes and metal rebars out of the water and threw them on the rocks, causing damage to the pieces. Their intentions were to make a hole in the gate to the fenced area”.
The full text of the police report reads as follows:
“On 08-21-2011 at approximately 0416 hours, I responded to the Marine Mammal Conservancy located at 102200 Overseas Highway in Key Largo, Florida in reference to a criminal mischief.
I met with complainant, R.Lingenfelser who stated the following: On today’s date at approximately 0200 hours, he was working at the Marine Mammal Conservancy. His position is the director of stranding operations and helps rehabilitate injured mammals so they can be released back into their respective habitat. Currently, him and his team of volunteers are rehabilitating a 1,100 pound whale which was stranded months ago. He stated every morning, he redirects the whale from the holding area, to the rehabilitation area. These areas are part of the Florida Bay, however they are sectioned off with gates and cages to keep unwanted animals/mammals out. R.Lingenfelser walked over to the rehabilitation area at approximately 0200 hours to get the area ready. He observed two white males on the rocks by the Hampton Inn. The males were damaging and taking apart the fence which was in the water. The males pulled several PVC pipes and metal rebars out of the water and threw them on the rocks, causing damage to the pieces. Their intentions were to make a hole in the gate to the fenced area. The two males saw R.Lingenfelser after pulling up approximately 10 pieces of the gate, and fled the scene on foot.
R.Lingenfelser stated prior to the males running away towards the Hampton Inn, he recognized one of them to be “Chris Langraun”, a late 20’s early 30’s year old white male. R.Lingenfelser told me he was provided a picture of this male by an F.B.I. agent a short time ago. The F.B.I. agent told him that Chris is affiliated with the animal rights group, “A.L.F.”. He further stated that Chris is in town and is going to attempt to release any caged animals/mammals into their natural habitat.
R.Lingenfelser stated he has seen Chris for the past two weeks standing on the Hampton Inn property, video taping the Marine Mammal property and its staff. From the Marine Mammal Conservancy property, it is divided from the Hampton Inn by the rehabilitation area and mangroves. R.Lingenfelser stated, Chris’ intentions were to release the whale from the area, only he didn’t know the whale was not there yet.
R.Lingenfelser was unsure of the spelling of Chris’s last name, therefore I was unable to locate his information through various investigative programs such as D.A.V.I.D. or MCSO MNI. I conducted a canvas of the Hampton Inn and surrounding area and was unable to locate the two males described to me as follows:
Chris Langraun – white – male – late 20’s early 30’s – thing build – brown hair – 5’10” – 160 lbs. – blue jeans and a t-shirt
unknown male – white – male – 20’s – black shoulder length hair – 5’10” – 170lbs. – “Gothic looking”.
No further information at this time.
On 08-25-2011 at approximately 2130 hours, I met with Sgt. J.Ortiz (Miami police department) at the marine mammal conservancy in reference to a followup on the original complaint of trespassing and criminal mischief. Sgt. Ortiz stated he volunteers at the marine mammal conservancy regularly. He told me that for the past several weeks, other volunteers including the original complainant R.Lingenfelser, had numerous negative encounters with Chris on their property. Sgt. Ortiz provided me with the correct spelling of Chris’s last name as well as his true and full name. He stated that he goes by his middle name Christopher. His true name is Arnold Christopher Lagergren, date of birth 08-21-1970.
A records check confirms Arnold Christopher Lagergren is a resident of south Florida (1800 North Bayshore Drive #1502, Miami Florida 33132). It also confirms a criminal history which includes prior convictions of burglary, criminal mischief and larceny.
Sgt. Ortiz provided me with a photograph taken by a volunteer a few weeks ago of Arnold Christopher Lagergren on the Hampton Inn property while holding a camera near the Marine Mammal Conservancy property. He also provided me with a photograph taken on the same day of Arnold Christopher Lagergren leaving from the Hampton Inn parking lot in his dark colored Ford Mustang bearing Florida tag “PBZ5T”. A records check confirms he is the sole registrant of this vehicle.
R.Lingenfelser stated Arnold Christopher Lagergren has been told several times over the past few weeks to leave the property and most of the representatives have knowledge of, and could identify him. Most of the times he refused to leave, however volunteers did not call the police.
Based on updated information on true name of suspect Arnold Christopher Lagergren, as well as witness statements obtained by this officer, I am submitting arrest warrants for one count of trespass on property other than structure/conveyance F.S.S. 810.09 and one count of criminal mischief more than $200 but less than $1,000(actual damage $500) F.S.S. 806.13.
All statements and two photographs were turned in with a copy of this report at Monroe County Sheriff’s Office.”
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Does anyone want to explain to me how the actions of these people may be considered a promotion of “animal rights”? Really…..I am an educated person and generally open minded. How does the “freeing” of a whale from a rehab facility benefit anyone but the sharks? Is this being posted as a cautionary example of people from the ALF fold who have lost it, an attempt to call people to assist the police in arresting the suspect? I am not sure so would like some help. Most ALF people are rich and fiscally conservative….perhaps a branch has merged with the Tea Party and is working on kicking both whales and poor folks out of the hospitals?