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BREAKING: Cat Named Shaggy Stolen from Tesla in Broad Daylight

Los Angeles, CA

By Erkan KözelPublished 8 months ago 3 min read

In a bizarre and heart-wrenching incident that has left pet lovers and tech enthusiasts equally stunned, a long-haired tabby cat named Shaggy was reportedly stolen from a parked Tesla Model Y in downtown Los Angeles on Wednesday afternoon.

The cat’s owner, 31-year-old Sienna Martinez, had left Shaggy resting peacefully on the heated passenger seat while she ran into a nearby vegan café for what she described as “literally three minutes.” When she returned, the Tesla was still there—but Shaggy was not.

“I thought the car alarm would go off, or that Sentry Mode would catch something,” Sienna told reporters, visibly shaken. “But when I opened the door, there was just... silence. His fur was still on the seat. It was like a ghost cat situation.”

Tesla’s Sentry Mode, known for its motion-activated cameras and security alerts, did in fact capture footage of the incident—footage that is now being analyzed by local authorities and the internet at large.

THE FOOTAGE

According to early reports, the video shows a hooded individual in cargo shorts and what appears to be socks with sandals, approaching the car cautiously. Using what experts believe may be a homemade Tesla key fob emulator, the suspect unlocked the vehicle in under 10 seconds.

“Honestly, I’m more impressed than mad,” admitted Tesla security analyst Derek Nguyen, who reviewed the footage on YouTube. “It’s like Ocean’s Eleven, but for stealing cats.”

The thief can be seen opening the front passenger door and gently picking up Shaggy—who, notably, offered no resistance. Some internet commentators have joked that Shaggy might have “wanted to be kidnapped,” citing his relaxed demeanor.

“He looked like he was vibing,” commented one user on Reddit’s r/TeslaTheft. “Like, full-on purr mode.”

WHO IS SHAGGY?

Shaggy is no ordinary feline. A 7-year-old Maine Coon mix, he boasts over 42,000 followers on Instagram, where he is known for lounging in Tesla interiors, wearing custom bow ties, and balancing succulents on his head. Shaggy has even starred in promotional content for eco-friendly litter brands.

“He’s an icon,” said influencer and fellow pet parent @ThatDogLuka, who organized an online vigil. “You can’t just catnap a celebrity and expect no one to notice.”

Shaggy’s Instagram account, @ShaggyTheTeslaCat, has since posted a black-and-white image of his empty carrier with the caption: “Bring him home. #JusticeForShaggy”. The post has been shared over 60,000 times in the last 24 hours.

THE THEORIES

While LAPD has not yet released a suspect description beyond the grainy Sentry Mode footage, speculation online is rampant. Popular conspiracy theories include:

A rival pet influencer orchestrated the theft to knock Shaggy off the grid.

Elon Musk, in a secret mission to test cat loyalty under duress, arranged the incident as part of an experimental Tesla pet initiative.

Shaggy is not stolen, but escaped willingly, and is now living in Topanga Canyon as a free spirit with a crystal healer named Sky.

Authorities, for now, are asking the public to avoid speculation and report any information about “a suspicious man carrying a majestic cat with a judgmental stare.”

REWARD OFFERED

Martinez is offering a $5,000 reward for Shaggy’s safe return, no questions asked.

“I just want him back,” she said, holding a tear-stained printout of Shaggy’s most viral meme, which shows him lounging in a Tesla with the caption ‘No gas, no guilt.’

Tesla has yet to officially comment, though Elon Musk did tweet cryptically late last night:

“All cats are quantum. You never really own one. #SchrodingersTesla”

WHAT’S NEXT?

As the search continues, the incident has reignited debate about leaving pets in cars, even those as technologically advanced as Teslas.

Animal rights groups have urged pet owners to exercise caution, noting that while Sentry Mode may deter package thieves, it is not foolproof against cat-nappers with a plan.

Meanwhile, supporters have begun leaving plush toys, tuna cans, and handwritten notes at a makeshift memorial in the café’s parking lot, where Shaggy was last seen.

“We just want closure,” said one tearful fan. “Or at least one more photo of him in a bow tie.”

fact or fiction

About the Creator

Erkan Közel

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  • Jackson Marlowe8 months ago

    This is nuts! Can you believe someone stole a cat from a Tesla? The thief using a homemade key fob emulator is pretty clever. I wonder how they got the idea. And poor Shaggy, hope he's found safe. Do you think the footage will lead to the thief's arrest?

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