Seven police officers descended on a Nottinghamshire Aldi this week after receiving a late-night call-out from a burglar alarm - only to discover a lone cat inside.
One sergeant and six constables showed up at the budget retailer in Bingham at 1.14am on Monday expecting a raid after a spate of recent break-ins.
But officers discovered the intruder was actually a cat named Millie which had become trapped inside the shop.
The force said officers were "somewhat surprised to find a domestic pet cat near the main customer doors of the store, unable to get out".
Police "caught a cat burglar red-pawed", a spokesman prodded.
The animal was handed "a few stern words about late-night prowling and unlawful entry" before returning home safely, the force said.
Karen Holt, who owns Millie, called her pet a "diva" and explained the cat frequents the shop in search of treats and attention.
Staff at the branch have even been forced to put up a notice requesting shoppers refrain from allowing the cat inside.
Millie the cat was handed 'a few stern words about late-night prowling and unlawful entry'
|NOTTINGHAMSHIRE POLICE
"I saw the CCTV picture and thought, 'oh my goodness, that is Millie,'" Ms Holt told the BBC.
"I would never want to waste police time and resources, but I think everyone understands that this was an accident," she said.
Ms Holt lives near the Aldi and has owned Millie for more than ten years.
She revealed she tried to retrieve the cat but was scratched during her attempt.
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Police had descended on the shop expecting a raid after a spate of recent break-ins
|NOTTINGHAMSHIRE POLICE
"She doesn't want to be trapped inside. It's cruel. I can't lock her inside like a prisoner," the owner explained.
"I repeatedly posted on social media telling people not to feed her, but I think that encouraged them even more," Ms Holt said.
She added that she had received Facebook messages from strangers who had visited the shop specifically to meet Millie.
Shopper Teagan Sanderson, 19, said the cat was a "lovely addition" to the store.
"She doesn't do any harm - she just sits in the entrance minding her own business," Ms Sanderson said.
"Of course, it would be great for the owner if she went home, but I still want to see her."
Ms Holt now plans to take Millie for a veterinary check-up - but added: "For now, she's happy there."
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