NYC Woman Arrested for Bodega Cat Theft Claims She’s an ‘Animal Lover’
Mary Sierra, accused of stealing a beloved bodega cat named Jabal, was arraigned on petty larceny charges and stated she was unfairly arrested.
A Brooklyn woman, Mary Sierra, accused of stealing a beloved bodega cat named Jabal, was arraigned on petty larceny charges and adamantly claims she was unfairly arrested, asserting her status as an "animal lover."
Sierra, who was released on her own recognizance, told The Post, "I’m going to sue them for accusing me of stealing." She added, "I’m an animal lover. I got three rescue dogs. I wasn’t to jail yesterday for this s—t. I went to jail! They locked me up, they locked me up for this s—t. I did not steal the f—ing cat."
The cat, a three-month-old kitten, was reportedly taken from the 8th St. Mini Mart in Park Slope on Thursday. Surveillance footage captured two individuals leaving the store with the animal.
Despite her protestations of innocence regarding the charges, Sierra admitted to taking the cat, stating, "That store wasn’t open at 7 a.m. I saw the cat four houses away and picked up the cat and I took him home with me."
Neighbors had been searching for Jabal. Sierra eventually decided to return the cat, enlisting her stepson to deliver the kitten to the 78th Precinct stationhouse on Tuesday. Following this, police took Sierra into custody, charging her with petty larceny, criminal possession of stolen property, and "companion animal stealing," according to a criminal complaint. She was released without bail.
Jabal's owner, Imad “Jimmy” Innab, expressed relief at the kitten's return. Sierra, however, maintained her stance, telling The Post, "It’s embarrassing, because everybody knows I didn’t steal the f—ing cat."