A cat thief was caught in the act stealing a pensioner’s beloved pet on a ring.com doorbell camera.
The family of the pensioner have released the footage of Princess being stolen from her doorstep in a nighttime catnap.
Princess was snatched by an unknown person as she tried to get into her owner’s front door in the market town of Aylesbury at 9.25pm on Friday.
CCTV captures the moment a man wearing sunglasses at night creeps up behind the long-haired Maine Coon before grabbing her and fleeing the scene.
The man covers his face as he holds the stolen moggy in footage released to the public by the owner’s family as they desperately appeal for sightings or information.
Firefighter Lara Wadey, 43, told the Standard her mother-in-law was heartbroken at the theft.
She told The Standard: “She’s so distressed. She can’t believe anyone could do such a thing. When you’re that old you want to believe the best in everyone.
“She is a very timid cat. She only eats soup and tuna and is treated like a Princess hence her name.”
In a message to the suspect, Ms Wadey begged: “Just let her go, hand her into a vet, or bring her home.
“It would mean the world to get her back. This cat had a very difficult life before she was adopted seven years ago. No-one could touch her or go near her but my mother-in-law built up the trust between them.
“She is devastated.”
Thames Valley Police are investigating the theft with the family awaiting enhanced facial recognition results of the suspect from the doorbell camera.
Ms Wadey added: “I can’t thank everyone who is helping and sharing sightings and information. I can’t keep up with my phone. Even with everything going on in the world when you need community spirit our locals have been unbelievable.”
A Thames Valley Police spokeswoman, said: “Thames Valley Police received a report of the theft of a cat that happened at around 9.25pm in Chapman Close on Friday.
“An investigation is ongoing.
“Anyone with information can contact police by calling 101 or by making a report online, quoting reference 43220361237.”
