The 10-foot reptile, now named Pepe the Gator, was also playfully cited with Public Loitering with Intent to Sunbathe, and Obstructing Traffic
- A 400-pound alligator named Pepe was safely captured after being spotted lounging on a road in Onslow County, N.C.
- Deputies issued tongue-in-cheek “citations” and shared playful photos of the nearly 10-foot reptile on Facebook
- Pepe was unharmed and relocated to Camp Geiger, with officials defending the intervention as necessary for public and animal safety
A North Carolina alligator was captured on the side of the road, and its massive size prompted some comical suspicions from the officers on duty.
The Onslow County Sheriff’s Office posted a cheeky press release to its Facebook account on Wednesday, May 28, after deputies and the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission shared images of the captured 400-pound, nearly 10-foot reptile, now named Pepe the Gator.
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“Deputies in Onslow County and officers with NC Wildlife Resources Commission wrangled this prehistoric perp off the pavement today after he was caught loitering near the double yellow line on Old 30 Road,” read the statement. “Witnesses say he was just chilling and snapping, clearly ignoring the ‘no loitering or lounging on roadways’ sign.”
The hilarious post, accompanied by three images of Pepe posing with the officials, noted that the gator was “cited” for three infractions, including Suspicion of Being a Dinosaur Without Proper Papers, Public Loitering with Intent to Sunbathe, and Obstructing Traffic.
A representative from the Onslow County Sheriff’s office confirmed to PEOPLE that, after a few photo snaps, Pepe was transported safely to Camp Geiger, a Marine Corps base in Jacksonville, N.C. The rep presumed that Pepe had traveled at least three miles from the nearest body of water, with the next being about five miles away from where the gator was found.
Though officials received backlash from locals on the recovery of the animal, with many suggesting the gator could have been left alone, the representative maintains that the animal posed a threat to itself — given it was found near an actively busy street — and to residents, including children, in the area.
“It was lost and wasn’t where it needed to be,” the representative told us.
Pepe suffered no injuries; however, in jest, the press release also stated: “Deputies reported no injuries, unless you count his pride when the gator refused to be cuffed.”
