Cat stolen in Oceanside reunited with owner after police track down alleged robber

Toby, a ginger Turkish Angora cat stolen from an Oceanside driveway last month, is back in his owner's arms.

The cat was taken outside the Brower Avenue home of Riena Xiomara Villatoro around 11:40 a.m. on Feb. 9 and returned safely through "good ol' detective work," said Nassau police spokesman Det. Lt. Richard LeBrun.

Two Fourth Squad detectives, Robert Sacco and Anthony Albanese, "had to go up and down talking to possible witnesses," LeBrun said. "They were able to eventually get a plate — that led them to the defendant."

Authorities tracked the suspect's vehicle, leading to the arrest Tuesday of Vincent Fredricks, 20, of Oceanside, police said.

Fredricks was charged with petit larceny. He was issued a desk appearance ticket returnable on March 22, according to the Nassau County District Attorney's office. 

The cat, which had a collar and a microchip embedded in it, is in good condition, LeBrun said. 

Villatoro adopted Toby about three years ago from her sister, who cares for the cat's mother. The mother cat had a litter of five kittens, including Toby, she said.

"He is such a special cat to me ... he has been with me since he was a baby," Villatoro said. "He loves going to the beach, fishing and likes to go on trips with us. He used to wear a harness and collar if he could go out two days a week but he was always back."

Turkish Angora cats are prized, and purchasing a purebred kitten from a breeder can cost up to $2,000 each, online records show. 

Police did not say why Fredricks may have taken the cat or if he has an attorney.

With Robert Brodsky