A Maryland man has been arrested for allegedly stealing a kitten from a pet store and then using the animal during an attempted bank robbery. The incident occurred in Prince George's County.
According to police and a local cat rescue, the suspect stole a 3-month-old kitten named Magnolia from a Pet Supplies Plus store. Security camera footage reportedly shows the man entering the store, quickly grabbing the kitten from an adoption area, and then exiting. Witnesses stated the suspect ran directly to a nearby PNC Bank within the same shopping center.
Beltsville Community Cats, the rescue organization involved, received a call from the pet store employees around 10:30 a.m. reporting Magnolia missing. A volunteer from the rescue later observed a significant police presence directed toward the bank.
Authorities stated that the suspect entered the bank and approached an employee, asking them to hold the kitten before passing a note to a teller demanding money. Prince George's County police took a man into custody at the bank. The kitten, Magnolia, was recovered unharmed.
The manager of the Pet Supplies Plus store told NBC Washington that the suspect had been a regular visitor to the store in the weeks prior and had frequently interacted with Magnolia. The rescue organization described Magnolia as a "true purr machine" and a social, playful kitten who is still available for adoption. They are seeking a home for her with another young, playful cat or with a family that can provide her with companionship.