A retired Australian soldier who lost his cat, with full military equipment and a toy weapon resembling a real weapon, stormed the animal shelter where his cat was temporarily housed.
The unusual incident occurred last January, when Tony Whitman, 45, a father of three, called the Melbourne Animal Shelter to find out if his lost cat was there.
The staff member answered in the affirmative and noted that the cat was indeed present, however Whitman, will have to arrive the next day as the shelter is closed for the day.
But Whitman's longing percentage refused to accept that answer.
He wore a uniform and combat vest, equipped himself with a real-looking toy weapon, and stormed into the shelter.
When he broke into the building, he captured one of the facts that was there and threatened her, claiming that "I will not shoot you if you listen to my words."
The worker begged and told him "Do not hurt me, I have two children".
The former fighter tied the worker's hands, questioned her where in the facility the cats were housed, then threatened her again: "I close the door, but my eyes are on you all the time. If you do anything - I will hurt you."
Former soldier Tony Wittman pleads guilty to storming Melbourne animal shelter in search for lost cat
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Whitman fled the scene without picking up his cat, and the employee managed to call her manager and police forces.
As it was not clear whether Whitman was still at the scene, special police forces were called to the shelter, fearing that there were hostages at the scene and that the kidnapper was armed and dangerous.
The entire incident, from start to finish, was recorded on security cameras.
The next morning Whitman arrived as one of the man to free his cat from the shelter, as he had been offered in advance, and the police hurried to arrest him.
In response to investigators, Whitman claimed he suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder, saying "I love my cat, he supports and comforts me."
In court he said: "I felt I needed to get the cat back and acted without thinking about the consequences."
His lawyers were able to persuade the plaintiff to consider the situation, and Whitman was indicted for eight offenses, compared to the original 16 offenses.
This coming February, the man will be prosecuted for aggravated burglary, incarceration, carrying a weapon, false testimony and criminal activity.