R.I. man charged with ransoming mother’s cat for $20,000


NORTH KINGSTOWN, R.I. - North Kingstown police accuse a man of extorting more than $20 thousand from his elderly mother by repeatedly threatening to kidnap her cat and demanding ransom.

Garry Lamar was arrested last week and released on $200 bail. He’s been ordered to stay away from his 78-year-old mother, Mary Lamar Grancher.

Police say he started threatening to kidnap his mother’s beloved pet just over a year ago, when she kicked him out of her home.

According to authorities, Lamar allegedly kidnapped the cat once during the past year and made kidnapping threats on a near weekly basis. Police don’t believe the cat was harmed, but they’re still investigating.

Police say Grancher made at least two dozen payments.

A phone listing for Lamar couldn’t be located.

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