Police reunite Sydney homeless man and his pet rat

When a homeless man’s beloved pet rat went missing, it was feared a rodent thief was at large. Now the mystery has been solved.

It was one of the most shocking suspected crimes of the week, but the story of a homeless man, his pet rat and a brazen alleged “rodent thief” has come to a happy conclusion.

In actual fact, the beloved pet rat, Lucy, hadn’t been stolen at all and a woman — who was wrongly blasted as a heartless thief on social media — believed the pet had been abandoned.

Seeing the lone rodent, she took her home and cared for her before returning it to the homeless man today.

It all began earlier this month, when NSW Police asked for the public’s help in finding a woman they believed stole the pet.

Chris, 59, received an outpouring of support after it was revealed Lucy went missing in broad daylight on Pitt St in Sydney’s CBD.

Chris and Lucy are a well known duo to many Sydney residents, who walk past them every day.

But the pair were broken up just after 2pm on April 6 when Chris went to use a nearby toilet, leaving Lucy and his makeshift set-up on the footpath.

When he returned, Lucy was nowhere to be found.

Chris reunited with Lucy. Picture: Lost Pets in NSW/Facebook

Chris’s heartbreaking story came to light when a picture of him was posted on social media along with a sign he had made in the hope that someone would spot Lucy.

“My pet rat Lucy was stolen on Saturday,” the sign read.

“Lucy is black and white with a bit of brown.”

However, after police appealed for information and posted pictures of a woman they suspected of stealing the rodent, the much-loved pair have been reunited.

NSW Police posted a video of the emotional reunion, which shows Chris smooching the lucky rat.

“This feels wonderful,” he said in the video. “Thank you very much everybody. She knows she’s missed me too aye. She’s very loveable.”

Chris said it’s ‘wonderful’ to have Lucy back. Picture: Lost Pets in NSW/Facebook

“Officers from Sydney City Police Area Command have reunited a homeless man and his pet rat today, after she went missing last week,” police said in a statement.

“A woman, who walked past and saw Lucy alone, believed she had been abandoned, so took her home and cared for her.”