Kitten thief arrested, cat returned to owner

Kitten Thief Arrested, Cat Returned to Owner

by
June 26, 2025
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BENSALEM, Pa. — A woman was arrested Saturday after allegedly stealing a British Shorthair kitten from Pets Plus in Bensalem, police said. The stolen animal was safely recovered at the suspect’s home shortly after.

According to the Bensalem Police Department, officers were called to the pet store at 1336 Bristol Pike on June 21 after staff reported the theft. Surveillance footage showed a woman entering the animal enclosure area with a large shoulder bag and leaving moments later with the kitten concealed inside.

Kitten thief arrested, cat returned to owner
Photo: kitten thief arrested, cat returned to owner

Police identified the suspect as Madina Sherkulova, 45, of Hopkins Avenue in Bensalem. Officers visited her residence, where they found the kitten unharmed and confirmed its identity using an implanted microchip.

Suspect held on $150,000 bail

Sherkulova was taken into custody and charged with retail theft. Authorities also discovered she had an active arrest warrant for a previous retail theft incident in Bensalem.

Kitten thief arrested, cat returned to owner
Photo: kitten thief arrested, cat returned to owner

She was arraigned by District Justice Michael Gallagher and remanded to the Bucks County Correctional Facility on 10% of $150,000 bail.

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