BELTSVILLE, Md. — A man was arrested after investigators allege he stole a kitten from a Beltsville pet store, carried her into a nearby bank and attempted to rob the business while a manager held the animal.
Prince George’s County police responded at approximately 10:40 a.m. July 13, 2026, to the PNC Bank in the 10400 block of Baltimore Avenue for a reported robbery. Officers arrested the suspect at the scene and recovered the stolen kitten unharmed. No injuries were reported.
The kitten, a 3½-month-old black-and-white tuxedo cat named Magnolia, had been housed in an adoption area inside the nearby Pet Supplies Plus on Baltimore Avenue.
Store employees reported the man had visited the business nearly every day for approximately two weeks and repeatedly showed interest in Magnolia. Surveillance footage reportedly showed him entering the store in a light-colored shirt and black beanie before using a key to open the adoption enclosure and running from the business with the kitten.
The man walked across the parking lot to the PNC Bank while carrying Magnolia.
According to reports, he asked the bank manager to hold the kitten while he wrote a note. He then allegedly handed the note to a teller and demanded cash.
The robbery attempt was unsuccessful, and police took the man into custody. Magnolia was found safe inside the bank manager’s office, where the two had reportedly bonded during the incident.
Magnolia was returned to the rescue organization and remains available for adoption.
Beltsville Community Cats joked that her brief “life of crime” was over and that she could return to stealing hearts, treats, toys and cuddles while awaiting a permanent home.
The suspect’s identity and specific charges had not been released as of July 17. Prince George’s County police reported that the case remains under investigation.
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