A Winnipeg Police Service shoulder badge in Winnipeg on Sept. 2, 2021. The Canadian Press/David Lipnowski
A senior citizen has been charged with extortion and theft after a Winnipeg woman received a letter demanding money in exchange for her missing cat, city police say.
A 44-year-old woman told police her cat went missing on July 14 from her home in the 200 block of Manitoba Avenue, the Winnipeg Police Service said in a press release.
The woman told police that she suspected a neighbour might be connected to the disappearance of her pet.
“The neighbour later admitted to the victim that he was in possession of the cat and delivered a letter demanding money in exchange for its return,” according to the July 19 press release. “This information was relayed to police.”
Police officers were dispatched to the neighbour’s home last week and located the cat inside unharmed. The pet was returned to its owner and police arrested the neighbour.
A 72-year-old man is facing charges of extortion and theft under $5,000 in connection with the incident. He has since been released on an undertaking.
