Alleged Bank Robbery Attempt With Stolen Kitten

A Maryland man is accused of stealing a kitten from a pet store and carrying her into a nearby bank during an attempted robbery.

The bizarre incident unfolded at a shopping center in Beltsville, Maryland, where surveillance video reportedly showed a man entering a Pet Supplies Plus and running out moments later with a black-and-white kitten named Magnolia.

Witnesses said the man ran directly to a PNC Bank located in the same shopping center.

According to Stephanie Stullich of Beltsville Community Cats, the suspect walked into the bank holding the kitten, approached an employee and asked them to hold her. He then allegedly wrote a note demanding money and handed it to a teller.

Prince George’s County police arrived within minutes and took the man into custody inside the bank.

Magnolia, a 3-month-old kitten, was not injured and was safely returned to the rescue organization.

Employees at the pet store said the man had visited nearly every day for approximately two weeks and would regularly head straight toward Magnolia’s adoption area.

Store manager Aaron Kurkowski said the man entered while employees were away from the front of the store, used a nearby key to open the adoption enclosure and ran out with the kitten.

Despite her brief involvement in the alleged crime, Magnolia remains available for adoption.

“She is looking for a law-abiding citizen with a lot of love in their heart,” Stullich said.

(SOURCE: NBC Washington)