A cat thief was caught in the act of stealing a pensioner's pet from her doorstep on a ring.com doorbell camera.
The family of the 84-year-old pensioner has released the CCTV footage of her cat Princess being taken by an unknown person in Chapman Close in Aylesbury at 9.25pm.
The footage shows a man wearing sunglasses creeping up behind the long-haired Maine Coon before taking her and leaving the scene.
Firefighter Lara Wadey, 43, said 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, she added: “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 is investigating the incident, while a search party has been established, by a missing pets charity.
Lisa Dean, the founder of Beauty's Legacy who focus on reuniting lost and stolen pets with their owners, was told that the cat was dumped with a recent sighting suggesting she is still in Aylesbury.
The charity is now offering a £500 cash reward for the safe return of Princess, or the piece of information leading to her whereabouts
Lisa said: "She [the victim] is absolutely distraught.
"I was contacted this morning to say the thief had let her go a mile and a half away and we have had a sighting so the poor cat is now out loose and trying to get herself home.
"We have laid scent trails, and cameras are in place so we are urging the public not to approach her but to call us if they see her as she will be terrified."
A Thames Valley Police spokesperson 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.”
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