A much-loved bodega cat has been taken from his home in Brooklyn, sparking a community response to find him. His owner, visibly upset, is offering a reward for the return of the kitten, who goes by the name of Jabal.
“I think everyone in the neighborhood is talking about it,” noted a Park Slope resident who shared in the sadness over Jabal’s disappearance. The three-month-old kitten was taken from the 8th St. Mini Mart on Thursday morning.
Jabal’s owner, Imad Innab, was opening up the shop around 7 a.m. when Jabal, a white cat with striking yellow eyes, slipped outside for a bit of exploration.
After some time, Innab realized Jabal wasn’t around anymore. A quick check outside confirmed his worst fears—the kitten was gone.
Surveillance footage revealed what had happened. At about 7:18 a.m., a man and a woman were seen taking Jabal and leaving the scene.
This prompted a number of local regulars, who had grown fond of Jabal during their visits, to search for the cat. One customer even spotted the thieves carrying Jabal in Prospect Park.
“He confronted them, saying, ‘You stole the cat! It’s not a stray, it belongs to the store!’” Innab explained.
Unfortunately, the couple managed to shove Jabal into a bag and escape.
“The woman put the cat in her backpack and headed one way while the man went another direction. The customer kept following them, while I was on the phone with the police,” Innab recounted.
Though the culprits were identified, Innab chose not to pursue charges. Instead, he plastered flyers around the area offering a $500 reward—no questions asked—for Jabal’s return.
“Just give him back, you know? He was happy here,” Innab lamented. “These people probably won’t take care of him properly, so what’s the point?”
Innab’s grief runs deep. Jabal had stepped into the shoes of Innab’s late cat, Victoria, who was adored by customers for 17 years before passing away three months ago.
“He had a great home here,” said Innab’s 27-year-old son, Moe. “He loved being on my dad’s lap, and it was always nice to see him. My sisters even named him. So, it really affects us.”
But now that cozy little cardboard couch where Jabal always lounged in the deli sits forlorn and empty, as he roams lost in the city.
