The saga of the adorable bunny stolen from a Soho boutique, but then returned (much to the delight of the bunny's owner as well as veteran journalist Carl Bernstein), continues: The couple accused of snatching Jack the rabbit was in court yesterday, and lawyer said of Thomas Smith, 62, "He did it because he loved the bunny. He wanted to take care of something. He couldn't afford to buy a pet."
Smith 62, and Andrea Ruggieri, 45, were charged with petit larceny and possession of stolen property charges for the hare-raising heist at the Alexander Berardi store on Prince Street on March 14. The couple is homeless; Smith was held on $500 bail while Ruggieri was released on her own recognizance.
According to the Daily News, "The rabbit was dropped off at the 1st Precinct stationhouse about midnight Saturday; a soup-kitchen friend of Smith talked him into giving the pet back." Defense lawyer John Carney said, "His friend saw the story [about the rabbit] on the TV and told him to give the rabbit back. This story is very sad. He's very lonely, but he did take care of the rabbit." He added that Smith's "an animal lover, not a hater."
