Gothamist

A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.

Gothamist

WNYC Listen Live

Donate

 

 

News

Meow! Cops Seek Cat Mask-Wearing Robber


By

Jen Chung

Published Jun 29, 2010

Modified Jun 30, 2010


Share

FacebookTwitterRedditEmail


Never miss a story

 Email address

By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .


By

Jen Chung

Published Jun 29, 2010

Modified Jun 30, 2010


Share

FacebookTwitterRedditEmail


We rely on your support to make local news available to all

Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today

Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations

2010_06_catwomen.jpg

The New York Post is beside itself in reporting that the police are looking for a female who is suspected of robbing stores in Manhattan and Queens—while wearing a cat mask. In fact, the police sketch (above, center) features a woman wearing a mask. As expected, there are many feline puns: The robber "has sunk her claws into shoe and beauty stores" and "prowled" around one store and "got her paws on $86 in cash" after "pouncing on a sales clerk."

The suspect, a "lithe 5-foot-6, 115 pound thief, described in a wanted poster as possibly Middle Eastern," apparently only wore the mask during one robbery, when she hit an Arche shoe store in Manhattan on Thursday. On Friday, at the Body Shop in Forest Hills, she "turned into the Burqa Bandit, wrapping a black scarf over her head." Pat Kiernan suggests, "The NYPD might be out of their league, this seems like a job for Batman."

Tagged

cat mask

crime

police sketch

puns

robbery


Jen Chung

Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.

Read more

Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations


Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations


MORE news

NYC Council to consider earlier Legionella reporting after deadly outbreaks

A bill facing a hearing Monday would require cooling tower owners to notify city health officials when bacteria levels reach a much lower threshold.

By

Catalina Gonella

Published Oct 18, 2026 at 7:36 p.m. ET


Staten Island fire injures 2, but spares historic 'Godfather' church

Dozens of firefighters responded to the blaze, which started in a vacant warehouse. It was contained within three hours.

By

Giulia Heyward

News

Staten Island fire injures 2, but spares historic 'Godfather' church

Dozens of firefighters responded to the blaze, which started in a vacant warehouse. It was contained within three hours.

By

Giulia Heyward


Bail reform remains major issue in NY governor's race, 7 years after it became law

By

Gino Fanelli

NYPD identifies Bronx man, 26, killed in Midtown subway shooting

By

Ryan Kost

,

Elizabeth Kim

and

Phil Corso

Have you seen this Yorkie? NYPD looking for adorable pup dognapped from her Queens home

By

Ryan Kost


Never miss a story

Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.

Sign upEmail address

By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .