Sunset Beach police respond to alligator under vehicle

SUNSET BEACH, NC (WWAY) — Officers from the Sunset Beach Police Department were recently dispatched to Las Palmeras Mexican Restaurant for a complaint of a 5-foot alligator under a vehicle.

When the officers arrived, the alligator was tucked under the vehicle with his head peering out from the driver’s side door blocking access to the vehicle.

Sergeant Harden and Animal Control Officer Arp handled the call along with Officer Huddleston.

Out of concern for the safety of the vehicle owner, customers of Las Palmeras and the alligator, the alligator was safely relocated to a nearby pond.

The Sunset Beach Police Department will not remove alligators simply because they find their way into yards and other populated locations. But they say situations like this incident, where risk to public safety is a factor, the alligator will be relocated.