Mishawaka couple arrested for Ohio 'catnapping'

Michael Minix, Cathy Minix

ELKHART COUNTY, Ind. -- A report from the Berea Police Department in Ohio reveals a Mishawaka couple was arrested after allegedly attacking a couple at a cat show and stealing two cats on Oct. 4.

Michael Minix is charged with Robbery-Street-Strongarm, a Level 2 Felony, Theft-a Level 4 Felony, and Simple Assault, a Misdemeanor.

Cathy Minix is charged with Robbery- Street-Strongarm, a Level 2 Felony, and Theft, a Felony.

The victim told police on June 3, she paid Cathy $4,500 for a 2-month-old male Maine coon named Nimbus. The victim said the purchase took place in Indiana after having already sent a $500 deposit via PayPal.

Cathy was known to the victim, both online and in person, prior to the transaction.

The victim also knew of Michael but had not met him in person at that time.

On Oct. 4, the victim and her husband were at the Cuyahoga County Fairgrounds in Berea, Ohio, where they planned to show Nimbus and their 16-month-old female Maine coon, Luna, who they'd also bought from Cathy and Michael for $3,500.

The victim said just after 8 a.m., after unloading their car, they were walking toward the Arts and Crafts building. That's when they say Cathy and Michael attacked them from behind.

Michael allegedly slammed the victim in the back with both hands and hip-checked her to the ground.

The victim had been pulling a wagon of supplies in one hand and a wheeled cat-carrier in the other.

Cathy then allegedly grabbed the cat carrier, eventually ripping it from the victim's hand. The victim said Cathy then ran back to a rental car with the two cats in the wheeled carrier.

Michael is said to have kept pushing the victim down while swinging his arms and elbows at the victim's husband to keep him away.

The victim's hand was injured when she fell. She also suffered bruising on her legs. She said Miachael and Cathy yelled, "You owe us money!" and "Get the cat!" multiple times during the incident.

The victim was able to get up and catch a glimpse of the rental car's license plate. The victim added that Cathy tried to back the car over her before speeding off after Michael jumped in the car.

Police were called at 8:05 a.m. Upon arrival, authorities were given the license plate number and vehicle description.

A witness corroborated what happened to responding officers.

The victim said Cathy was supposed to help her show the cats but said their relationship had soured. The victim then showed police Michael and Cathy's photos on Facebook and explained the couple knew she'd be at the show with the cats.

The suspect couple was eventually spotted heading west on US 20 toward Toledo, Ohio.

Police called the couple's phones multiple times with no answer. The Ohio State Highway Patrol and Indiana State Police were also notified to keep an eye out for the Toyota Rav4 and to stop and hold it.

Arrest warrants were then requested and granted for the couple. Later that evening, the Elkhart County Sheriff's Office stopped the Rav4 and arrested Cathy and Michael.

Authorities say they had Nimbus and Luna with them in the rolling carrier.

The couple told deputies the victim hadn't paid the $5,000 by Oct. 1, and they were entitled to take the cat back. They said they didn't mean to take Luna, but they continued driving with her anyway.

The victim and her husband were told what happened and retrieved their cats.

ECSO is holding Cathy and Michael until they can be extradited.

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