A “cat burglar” nabbed a favorite feline known as Fat Albert from his longtime home on a business’ porch in Santa Ynez, where his family and fans Wednesday celebrated his safe return. 

Fat Albert disappeared at 3:11 p.m. last Wednesday, when video shows the cat-napper taking the black feline from the Longhorn Coffee Shop and Bakery, 3687 Sagunto St. 

“We are not giving up on the safe return of Fat Albert,” Longhorn Coffee posted on Instagram, pleading, “Just bring him home.”

The cat and crate, minus his blanket, returned before 4:30 a.m. Wednesday.

“No word from the woman that took him, but we are thankful they did the right thing and brought him home. Thank you all for sharing and spreading the word to get him home,” according to an update on the Longhorn Instagram page.

Surveillance video from last week shows a woman trying to stuff Fat Albert into a bag before she left him in a white Nissan Altima. 

In addition to the cat and crate, the female feline filcher also stole Fat Albert’s sign reading, “Warning: This property is protected by a highly trained fat cat. Not responsible for injury or possible death” with an image of a well-fed cat. 

In reality, Fat Albert was more likely to flop on his back for belly rubs or hang out with children, Longhorn co-owner Debbie Jacobsen said.  

Pictures on social media show Fat Albert basking in the sun while stretched out on his back to nap, typically a sign of trust and happiness since the position could be considered vulnerable to prey. 

Employees and customers of neighboring businesses Maverick Saloon and Trattoria Grappolo also have felt Fat Albert’s absence. 

“He’s very well known. I have people that come up from LA just to see him and have breakfast with him,” Jacobsen said. “He’s a very famous cat.”

Fat Albert has been a fixture greeting whoever opened Longhorn each day, loudly vocalizing his greeting — and demands.

“He’s very picky on what he eats, and that’s what scares me because he only likes a certain food. With them not knowing what he likes he’s probably not eating,” she said, adding that he  regularly receives supplements. 

Before heading home from work, Maverick employees sometimes visit Fat Albert’s porch to unwind from the shift.

“We just all miss the cat, and we want him back safe,” Jacobsen said.

Social media posts pleading for his safe return have drawn hundreds of likes. 

“He’s just very well loved, and everyone in this valley is on a hunt looking for this lady that took the cat,” Jacobsen said. 

Fat Albert’s fans have stepped up, helping check other surveillance video to determine more details about the vehicle and woman.  

“The whole town’s involved,” Jacobsen said.

A Santa Ynez Valley radio station, KRAZy Country 105.9, also has noted the missing cat.

One person posted anonymously: “Never mess with a small town celebrity. Karma will get you big time!!” Another suggested stealing a black cat would bring the thief bad luck.

Jacobsen urged the person in possession of Fat Albert to return him to any of the businesses near Longhorn or even to drop him off at the parking lot since he’s familiar with the area.

“If they return him to the parking lot, he will make his way back and we will buy him a new crate,” Jacobsen said, adding that the return didn’t have to occur during business hours. 

Albert’s owners have offered a $500 reward for his safe return with several flyers featuring his typical feline judgmental expression. 

Anyone with information about the cat’s location can call Longhorn at 805.688.5912.

“Albert has lived at the longhorn for 17 years. 17!!!. To whoever stole him: you can bring him back just as easily as how you took him,” according to one social media post.

In the days since his disappearance, arriving Longhorn customers have had a key question before providing their orders: Any news about Fat Albert?

“He’s so well taken care of — not just by us. People give him treats. He has a big fan club,” she said. “He’s very well loved.”