A routine Tuesday evening food order turned into every pet owner’s nightmare for the Layfield family when their beloved cat Willa vanished from their downtown Charleston home—allegedly taken by their delivery driver.

Security cameras captured what the family describes as theft in broad daylight. The footage shows a food delivery driver approaching their King Street area residence, completing the drop-off, then returning to scoop up Willa, a distinctive calico who had been lounging on the family’s front porch.

“We couldn’t believe what we were seeing,” said Jennifer Layfield, Willa’s owner of three years. “This person just picked up our cat like she belonged to them and walked away.”

The incident highlights an unsettling trend that’s been quietly growing alongside Charleston’s booming food delivery industry. While most drivers complete their routes without incident, pet theft has become an increasing concern for downtown residents whose animals often spend time on porches, stoops, and in unfenced yards.

Willa, a four-year-old spayed female with distinctive orange and black markings, disappeared around 6:30 PM last Tuesday. The Layfields had ordered dinner from a popular local restaurant through a third-party delivery app. What should have been a simple handoff of pad thai and spring rolls became the beginning of a community-wide search effort.

The security footage is damning. Crystal clear video shows the driver—wearing a red delivery bag and dark clothing—placing the food order on the family’s doorstep. After ringing the bell and stepping back, the driver notices Willa, who had wandered onto the porch to investigate. Instead of leaving, the driver approaches the cat, pets her briefly, then picks her up and carries her to his vehicle.

“Willa’s always been friendly,” Layfield explained. “She probably thought he was just another neighbor saying hello. She had no reason to run.”

The family immediately contacted both the delivery company and local law enforcement. Charleston Police confirmed they’re investigating the incident as theft of personal property. The delivery company, which the family declined to name pending the investigation, has reportedly suspended the driver’s account and is cooperating with authorities.

But for the Layfields, corporate responses feel inadequate when measured against the absence of a family member. Willa wasn’t just a pet—she was the household’s unofficial greeter, known throughout their King Street neighborhood for her friendly disposition and habit of supervising porch deliveries.

“She’s microchipped, spayed, and completely up to date on all her shots,” Layfield said. “This isn’t a stray someone ‘rescued.’ This is our family cat, taken from our property.”

The incident has resonated throughout Charleston’s close-knit downtown community, where many residents have embraced outdoor living with their pets. Social media posts about Willa’s disappearance have been shared hundreds of times, with neighbors offering everything from search parties to reward money.

Local veterinarians have been alerted to watch for Willa, and area animal shelters have her description and microchip information. The Charleston Animal Society confirmed they’ve received the family’s report and are monitoring intake records.

“Pet theft is more common than people realize,” said Dr. Sarah Martinez, a veterinarian at a downtown practice who requested her clinic not be named. “Friendly cats like Willa are particularly vulnerable because they don’t run from strangers. They assume every person they meet has good intentions.”

The Layfields have created flyers featuring Willa’s photo and are canvassing neighborhoods throughout the Charleston area. They’ve also posted on social media platforms and local community boards, hoping someone will recognize their distinctive calico.

Willa is described as a medium-sized female cat with a white chest and belly, orange tabby markings on her head and back, and black patches throughout her coat. She was wearing a purple collar with her name and the family’s phone number at the time of her disappearance.

The family is offering a substantial reward for Willa’s safe return, no questions asked. They’ve also consulted with local animal behaviorists who suggest that stolen pets are often kept in the same general area where they were taken, giving them hope that Willa might still be somewhere in the Charleston region.

“We just want her home,” Layfield said. “Whoever has her—maybe they convinced themselves they were helping a stray, or maybe their kids have gotten attached. We understand that. But Willa belongs with us. She’s been part of our family since she was a kitten.”

The case has prompted discussions about delivery safety protocols and pet security in Charleston’s increasingly busy downtown corridors. Some residents are reconsidering how freely they allow their cats to roam, while others are installing additional security cameras to monitor their properties.

Anyone with information about Willa’s whereabouts is asked to contact Charleston Police or reach out to the Layfield family directly through their social media posts. The family emphasizes they’re not interested in pressing charges—they simply want their cat back home where she belongs.

As the search enters its second week, the Layfields remain hopeful. Downtown Charleston’s tight-knit community has rallied around their cause, proving that sometimes the best security system isn’t technology—it’s neighbors who look out for each other and the pets they love.