On December 11, a routine Amazon Flex delivery in a Los Angeles suburb turned into a shocking theft when a driver was caught on home-security footage snatching a family cat.
The Incident
Diane Huff-Medina shared the footage with Nexstar’s KTLA. The video shows an Amazon Flex worker-an independent contractor-first dropping off a package at her front door and taking a photo to confirm delivery. A Siamese mix named Piper, a micro-chipped cat, was not wearing a collar and has lived with Huff-Medina and her three sons for six years. Piper lived both indoors and outdoors. The delivery partner crouches down, pets the cat, and moments later lifts her by the scruff of her neck. He carries the cat to his vehicle and drives away.
Amazon’s Response
Amazon spokesman Louie Tran apologized to Ms. Huff-Medina. “This was a horrible act, and we’ve apologized to Ms. Huff-Medina,” Tran said in a statement to KTLA on Wednesday. “The Amazon Flex delivery partner in question is no longer eligible to deliver to our customers.” The company also said it is working with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department in its investigation.
Investigation and Legal Status
Authorities confirmed that the driver has been identified and charges are pending. As of Wednesday, the cat had not been returned. Tran said the company is cooperating with the sheriff’s department. The driver is no longer allowed to deliver for Amazon.
Emotional Impact
Huff-Medina said she didn’t realize Piper had vanished until the next day when she watched her Ring doorbell footage. She described the feeling as helpless, saying, “It’s a helpless feeling because we watched her get taken, so I don’t know where she is or if she’s OK.” She added that the incident is especially devastating for her children, who ask daily, “Is she back yet?” She noted that their father died a few years ago, adding to the family’s grief.
Key Takeaways
- Amazon Flex driver stole a family cat in Los Angeles suburb.
- Amazon apologized and barred the driver from future deliveries.
- Investigation ongoing, cat not returned as of Wednesday.
The incident highlights the risks that can arise when independent contractors handle sensitive deliveries. As authorities pursue charges and Amazon works to prevent similar events, the community watches closely for the cat’s return and the resolution of this unsettling theft.
