On January 11, a former Australian soldier and Langwarrin resident, Tony Wittman, called The Lost Dogs’ Home in Melbourne, Australia looking for his cat. The time was ten minutes until closing, and staff couldn’t locate the feline. Wittman made an appointment for the next day to pick up his cat. All was good.
But Wittman decided he needed to get his cat from the shelter before that. Late that night, he scoped out the shelter from a distance. He left and returned two hours later, dressed in full military gear and carrying what he said was a loaded assault rifle. After cutting his way through a fence and onto the property, Wittman encountered a woman working the late shift with the animals. Rifle in hand, he forced her to her knees.
Trying to Find His Cat
The young mom pleaded with Wittman, but he bound her arms with zip ties. As The Sydney Morning Herald reported, he also instructed her, “If you do as I say and listen to me, I won’t shoot you.”
He asked about the location of the cats and then told her to count to 100 before moving. Wittman took off without his cat. After five minutes, the woman called her boss. Surveillance cameras captured the whole incident.
Wittman returned to The Lost Dogs’ Home the next day as scheduled to pick up his cat. According to ABC Australia News, he was then arrested, admitting his guilt to police and telling them he “loves his cat and relies on his cat for support.” Prior military service left Wittman suffering from depression and PTSD. His cat helped him through a lot of his darker times.
The father of three also told police, “he felt like he needed to get the cat back and he acted without thinking about the consequences.”
At the time of his arrest, a judge deemed Wittman a public risk and denied bail.
Case Comes to Court
In October, Melbourne Magistrates’ Court heard Wittman’s case, where he pled guilty to eight charges, including false imprisonment, aggravated burglary, criminal damage, perjury, and carrying an imitation firearm. Original reports stated the gun was real, but charges have since been updated to read the weapon was a fake. Sixteen of the original charges have now been dismissed in a deal with the prosecution.
Currently being held at the Ravenhall Correctional Centre, Wittman’s case will be heard in February by the County Court of Victoria.
H/T: www.nypost.com
Feature Image: New York Post