Attempted aggravated burglary with a firearm to steal a cat

NEWS AND VIEWS: In Britain this would be aggravated burglary and/or 'armed robbery' which is defined as 'the crime of stealing from somewhere or someone using weapons. It can result in a 16 years prison sentence on conviction. Aggravated burglary is entering someone's home (trespass) and using a weapon to threaten the occupier to steal possessions from them.

Generic illustration, This is neither the burglar nor the cat concerned.

This story takes place in the US.

On Sunday, in East Haven, Connecticut, two armed suspects entered a home (burglary) with the intent to steal a cat valued at a high dollar amount. The incident occurred around 3:45 p.m. at a residence on Thompson Street. 

The suspects tried to enter through a sliding door at the back of the house. Despite the residents’ efforts to prevent entry, one suspect kicked through the glass door. 

Once inside, they brandished a firearm (making this aggravated burglary and armed robbery) and demanded the cat. However, a resident managed to fend off the intruders, who then fled in a blue BMW without the cat. 

The vehicle was later found in Hamden and seized for evidence. The police believe this was a targeted attack, as the intruders seemed to know the residents. No injuries were reported, and the investigation is ongoing.

Comment: I think this is the first time in reading 'cat news' for 17 years that I have encountered a story of a couple of criminals trying to steal a cat from someone's home by force. A very serious crime because the gun was used in combination with theft or attempted theft and trespass.

We are not told anything about the cat but the most valuable cats out there at the moment are F1 Savannah cats which can fetch something in the order of $20,000 to $30,000.

On a risk reward basis for these criminals to commit such a serious crime the cat would have to be more than a regular purebred cat costing $3,000-$5,000.

P.S. please forgive the occasional typo. These articles are written at breakneck speed using Dragon Dictate. I have to prepare them in around 20 mins.