A beloved New York City bodega cat has safely returned home after allegedly being taken from outside his Brooklyn store, bringing relief to his owner and the neighborhood that rallied to find him.

Three-Month-Old Cat Disappears From Brooklyn Bodega
Jabal, a three-month-old kitten, disappeared from the Eighth Street Mini Market in Park Slope on Thursday, September 10.

According to surveillance footage, a man and a woman approached the store and took the kitten while he was outside. The footage reportedly showed Jabal struggling as the pair walked away with him.

Store owner Imad “Jimmy” Innab quickly realized that his beloved cat was missing. Jabal was more than just an animal at the store—he had become part of the bodega family and a familiar presence for regular customers.

The disappearance was especially painful for Innab, who had recently lost his previous bodega cat, Victoria, after she lived at the store for 17 years.

Neighborhood Launches Search for Missing Cat
After Jabal disappeared, the Park Slope community came together to help bring him home.

Innab and his family offered a $500 reward with no questions asked for Jabal’s safe return. Flyers featuring images of the individuals seen in the surveillance footage were distributed, while residents searched nearby streets and shared updates online.

The case quickly gained attention on Reddit, where community members posted photographs and asked whether anyone recognized the people seen taking the kitten.

Local residents also helped support Innab emotionally during the search. Dan Janzen, a neighbor and regular customer, said people were determined to keep the store owner hopeful while they waited for news.

The search continued for five days, with many people across the neighborhood hoping Jabal would be found alive and returned to the place he called home.

Jabal Is Finally Reunited With His Owner
A breakthrough came on Monday when someone contacted the bodega and claimed to know where Jabal was.

The person reportedly said that the kitten would be returned from Bushwick. On Tuesday, September 15, Jabal was brought to a New York police precinct by the stepson of the woman seen leaving with him.

Police subsequently returned the kitten to Innab at the Eighth Street Mini Market.

Photographs shared after the reunion showed an emotional Innab holding Jabal and kissing the top of his head. The heartwarming moment brought an end to days of uncertainty for the owner and the community.

“ As much as we love the kitten, we love him more,” Janzen said, emphasizing how strongly neighbors cared about Innab’s well-being.

Woman Arrested in Connection With Alleged Cat Theft
Although Innab had previously expressed that he primarily wanted Jabal returned safely and did not necessarily want criminal charges, police later arrested a 58-year-old Bushwick woman identified as Mary Sierra.

According to reports, Sierra faces allegations connected to the kitten’s disappearance. She later disputed the arrest and claimed that she had not stolen the cat, describing herself as an animal lover.

The legal allegations remain separate from a criminal conviction, and the status of the other person seen in the surveillance footage was not immediately clear.

A Bodega Cat Loved by an Entire Community
Jabal’s return highlighted the special role that bodega cats play in many New York neighborhoods. These animals often become familiar companions to store owners, workers, and customers.

For Innab, Jabal’s safe return was particularly meaningful after the loss of Victoria, his longtime cat. He reportedly planned to have Jabal microchipped to help protect him in the future.

The support from Park Slope residents left a lasting impression on the store owner, who expressed gratitude to everyone who helped search for his kitten.

After five stressful days, Jabal was finally back where he belonged—beside the owner and community that had refused to stop looking for him.

Course: NY Post