Accused catnapper ordered to replace cat

Linus, the cat that was taken from a Batavia home.

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ST. CHARLES – The Batavia woman accused of stealing her neighbor's cat admitted Tuesday to a misdemeanor offense and must pay for the family's new cat.

Brenda Scharlau, 56, of the 100 block of North Harrison Street, pleaded guilty to misdemeanor theft and was sentenced to 12 months' supervision and $800 in court fines and restitution.

Batavia police said that in late May Scharlau took her neighbor's cat, Linus, and dropped it off in the Lily Lake or Virgil area. Police said Scharlau complained of Linus eating chipmunks and birds in the area, so she trapped it to take it away.

The 9-year-old domestic, short-haired cat, missing since May 28, was never found.

Police said they received the catnapping scenario from neighbors who said Scharlau bragged about the incident at a neighborhood party.

Scharlau did not return phone calls Tuesday afternoon, and police refused to say what she told them in interviews.

Of the $800 Scharlau was ordered to pay, $600 is for restitution for a replacement cat, shots and declawing, prosecutors said.

The cat's owners, Jody and Matt Lay, have circulated fliers in the areas they think Scharlau dropped off the cat.

Several cat sightings reported to the Lays and others throughout the summer did not identify Linus.