Feline Good Photos Of Stolen Bodega Kitten, Reunited With 10-Year-Old Boy
March 1, 2019, 11:35 a.m.
The boy, who is autistic, has sensory issues and soft things, like the kitten, give him comfort.
It was a catastrophic crime that infuriated a city: A Bronx bodega's beloved kitten was stolen by a callous customer. But after an NYPD wanted poster drew widespread media attention, the suspect returned the kitten on Thursday.
One of the bodega's owners, Suzie Peña, expressed her relief and gratitude that little Luna is back:
The beloved bodega cat Luna stolen from a Bronx deli was returned a short time ago.
Owner Suzie tells @PIX11News the suspect returned Luna after seeing himself on the news.
He apologized to the family & urged them to call police. He was arrested at the scene. @PIX11News pic.twitter.com/k4Yer3SFPo— Andrew Ramos (@AndrewRamosTV) February 28, 2019
The family is especially relieved because their 10-year-old son, Jonathan, is very attached to the two-month-old cat. Jonathan, who has autism, was reportedly bereft following Luna's disappearance; now he's thrilled that she's back. He spent Thursday afternoon cuddling and reading to her, according to Peña.
The theft occurred last weekend at the Ismael Gourmet Deli, located at 126 West 238th Street, and the bodega had pretty clear video of the suspect:
Police say Stanley Duran, 29, brought Luna back to the store at 12:40 p.m. on Thursday, but the store's owners say Duran waited outside while his friend returned the kitten.
Owner Ismail Diaz told the Post that Duran "apologized. He’s just a boy. He said it was unintentional, but he clearly grabbed it." Diaz also said "he didn’t want to press charges, but he had to call the cops."
Duran was charged with petit larceny and issued a desk appearance ticket.
In an interview with PIX 11, Peña explained why Luna is so crucial to Jonathan, "One thing that helps him, because of his sensory issues, is soft, the softness of things and cats are really soft, so he loved that she’s cuddly."
10-year-old Jonathan told @PIX11News he is very happy to be reunited with Luna.
He says his furry friend is the first thing he sees when he wakes up and last thing he sees before he goes to bed. pic.twitter.com/hfk0Y8sMpt— Andrew Ramos (@AndrewRamosTV) February 28, 2019
Additional reporting by David Delgado
