Locals searched day and night for celebrity cat ‘Fat Albert’ stolen in broad daylight — a week later, thief’s surprising move made headlines again
A small town can rally fast when something dear to the community goes missing. That is what happened when a well-known cat disappeared from a local cafe, leaving many people shocked and worried. On November 12, 2025, locals searched day and night after learning that “Fat Albert,” a cat loved by regulars and staff, had been taken in broad daylight. The quiet routine of the cafe suddenly changed, and the story soon spread through nearby streets and online groups. What began as a confusing moment turned into a week-long effort by residents determined to bring the elderly cat home.
As reported by KEYT, the cat named “Fat Albert” went missing from the Longhorn Coffee Shop in Santa Ynez after a woman on video appeared to take him and his crate from the porch area around 3:11 p.m. The 17-year-old cat had spent his whole life at the cafe and was first cared for by owner Mike Minot, who had recently passed away, as per the outlet. When the shop came under new management, Debbie Jacobsen also became responsible for the well-known cat, who was known for lying on his back for belly rubs and greeting children.
Neighbors and nearby businesses quickly stepped in to find the cat. Maverick Saloon on Sagunto Street put up signs saying, “Bring Fat Albert Back Home to Longhorn,” and the Animal Rescue Team helped spread the word while offering a $500 reward. Locals checked security cameras across the area to identify the woman and her white Nissan Altima, as reported by Noozhawk. The cafe kept posting updates on Instagram, such as “We are not giving up on the safe return of Fat Albert,” and the whole town joined the effort as support continued to grow.
Jacobsen had encouraged the thief to return him anywhere nearby, even in the parking lot. After a long week of searching, Fat Albert returned before sunrise on Wednesday, 19 November, and the owner found him around 5:30 a.m. His crate came back without the blanket. It appeared someone may have taken him during the recent storm, and the Animal Rescue Team stayed involved as the story spread online. Thanking everyone who helped the cat's return, Longhorn updated, "No word from the woman that took him, but we are thankful they did the right thing and brought him home." A fundraiser soon began to buy Fat Albert a kennel with heating and air conditioning.
This is not the first time a "celebrity" cat has been targeted for theft. In another similar incident, a well-known street cat in the Polish city of Szczecin became the focus of worry and support. Gacek, a chubby black-and-white cat who often relaxed outside a small shop on Kaszubska Street, was loved by both locals and tourists. But in 2023, his fame brought trouble when someone allegedly tried to take him early one March morning. “A certain creature on March 20th, a little after 7 a.m., decided to try and steal Gacek.” The then six-year-old cat, known as the “King of Kaszubska,” ran under a car to escape, and the would-be thief fled in a taxi. His carers later said, “Of course it didn’t work out,” and assured everyone that the attempt was stopped thanks to a witness nearby.