Caught on CCTV: Noodle Vendor Puts Cat Into Cart Drawer

The case of a missing Persian cat in Jatisampurna, Bekasi City, went viral after closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage spread widely on social media. The recording, taken on Tuesday (10/13/2026) at around 10:11 PM, shows a capped noodle vendor picking up a cat wandering in front of its owner's house in the Kranggan Permai housing complex, Jalan Anggrek Raya.

The man then put the cat into the drawer of his noodle cart before leaving the scene. The cat's owner, Astrid, uploaded the footage to social media to search for her beloved pet named Cimi, a grey Persian cat.

Suspect Apprehended, Admits Panic and Intent to Return Cat

Police apprehended the perpetrator, identified as HP (24), a traveling noodle vendor, at his rented room in Jatisampurna on Friday (10/16/2026). Bekasi City Metro Police Criminal Investigation Unit Chief Commissioner Verdika Bagus Prasetya explained that HP admitted panicking after the footage spread widely on social media.

"Based on the clarification, HP admitted he was frightened after the footage spread widely on social media. He then intended to return the cat to its owner," Commissioner Verdika said. But during the motorcycle trip, the cat jumped off and escaped, according to his account. HP also admitted taking the cat to keep as a pet.

In a video recording obtained by media, HP apologized directly to the cat-owning couple. "I sincerely apologize to Mr. Akmal and Mrs. Astrid for taking their cat," HP said. He expressed remorse, promised not to repeat it, and said he was ready to face legal proceedings if he did it again.

Ends Peacefully, Search for Cimi Continues

On Saturday (10/17/2026), the perpetrator and victims were brought together at the Jatisampurna Police Station and agreed to settle the matter amicably without pursuing legal proceedings. Astrid explained that her main focus from the start was getting her pet back, not jailing the noodle vendor.

"The mediation resulted in settling this matter amicably, and we are not pursuing legal proceedings," Astrid said. But sadness still lingers for the couple: Cimi has not been found. According to Astrid, the cat was dumped around Bumi Eraska to SDN II Jatisampurna. Searches have been conducted without results, and the owners hope Cimi can come home.