Man receives five-month jail sentence for stealing pet cats

Carlos Cyrus, a 30-year-old resident of Southall, London, has been sentenced to five months in prison after admitting to the theft of two pet cats. He confessed to taking the animals from separate addresses in Chertsey on two distinct days in July. Cyrus pleaded guilty to two charges of theft and received a 20-week sentence for each offense at Guildford Crown Court on Thursday, with the sentences designated to run concurrently. Neither of the stolen cats has been recovered. Surrey Police indicated they were summoned to Abbey Road in Chertsey on July 17, following a report that a man driving a VW Golf was observed via a video doorbell removing a cat from the street. The second incident was reported in Stepgates Close, where neighbors described the same vehicle being driven erratically after the cat had been placed inside. Cyrus was arrested on July 30, subsequent to officers reviewing CCTV and doorbell footage. Detectives reported that he responded with “no comment” during questioning, and the missing cats were not located during searches conducted at several addresses. Inspector Chris Thoday stated: “The two stolen cats, Tilly and Maisie, were much loved members of their families and the callous theft and refusal by Cyrus to tell us where they are, demonstrates his blatant disregard for animals and their owners.” He further added: “We know that these incidents had a real impact on the local community, and we hope that our swift action in apprehending Cyrus reassures you that we take the thefts of animals seriously and will do what we can to pursue offenders.” Inspector Thoday also extended thanks, saying: “We would also like to thank everyone in the local community who came forward with information around this case, no matter how small it might have seemed. This sentencing would not have been possible without your help.”