A kitten police found in a vehicle after a crash in Meriden belongs to one of the suspects who was arrested and it has been returned to the suspect's mother, according to police.
A Meriden Police cruiser collided with a stolen car during a police investigation last week, ending a daylong crime spree and leading to the arrest of several suspects believed to be responsible for a slew of robberies in four Connecticut towns.
But as police began to process the stolen vehicle after the accident, they discovered a 7-week-old kitten under a car seat.
At the time, they believed the suspects acquired the male cat sometime within the timeframe of the Aug. 10 robberies— which happened in Wallingford, Branford, Southington and Torrington and they were looking for help to reunite him with his owner.
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On Thursday, police said the kitten belonged to one of the young suspects they arrested and sent to juvenile detention.
"While we have no idea why the juvenile did not alert us that it was their kitten or make attempts to have someone contact us regarding the status of the kitten, it was returned to the juvenile’s mother," Meriden police said in a Facebook post.
"We appreciate everyone’s efforts in sharing the post and raising awareness of our efforts to reunite him with his family. It was a response to one of the posts that led us back to the juvenile. We also appreciate all the calls and emails to our Animal Control Officers with offers to adopt our furry friend," the post from Meriden police said.
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This came after six people— two adults and four minors— were taken into custody last week in connection with the robbery spree.
Police say the suspected robbers were also responsible for stealing at least three vehicles— one of which they lit on fire— and driving head-on toward officers and civilians.
