Hulya Ozkok /Flickr RF / Getty Images/ Persian cat with flower headband

A man stole $185,000 in cash and jewels over the last year not for himself, but so that his 120 cat friends could eat only gourmet food, Japanese police told Agence France Presse Thursday. This is kind of like the story of Les Miserables if you replace Jean Valjean’s sister’s starving children with stray cats and a loaf of bread with precious stones.

“He would give them fresh fish and chicken, not cheap canned food,” said an officer, elaborating, “He said he felt happiest when he rubbed his cheek against the cats.”

Although the unemployed cat burglar only had one cat of his own and 20 in a warehouse nearby, the 25,000 yen ($250) a day kitty buffet was open to the hundred some strays in the neighborhood.