An Ohio woman was arrested Monday evening after police in Springfield Township discovered a pet raccoon holding a methamphetamine pipe during a traffic stop, according to officials.
The incident took place around 7:15 p.m. on South Arlington Road when Springfield Township Police Officer Austin Branham pulled over a vehicle after identifying that the registered owner had a suspended driver’s license and an active warrant.
The vehicle was driven by 55-year-old Victoria Vidal of Akron, Ohio.
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Vidal was detained without incident, but what followed was described by police as a “strange encounter on patrol.”
According to a statement released Tuesday by the Springfield Township Police Department, Officer Branham returned to the vehicle after securing Vidal and noticed a raccoon in the driver’s seat with a meth pipe in its mouth.
“As Officer Branham returned to the vehicle, he observed a raccoon named ‘Chewy’ sitting in the driver’s seat with a meth pipe in its mouth,” the police statement read.
“Chewy had somehow gotten hold of a glass methamphetamine pipe, leading officers to further inspect the vehicle.”
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Video from the traffic stop reportedly captured Officer Branham’s surprise as he witnessed the raccoon grabbing the drug paraphernalia.
“The raccoon has her meth pipe! He’s playing with a meth pipe right now!” Branham was heard saying as he confiscated the pipe.
“There’s no way!” the officer added as the animal managed to grab a second pipe and put it in its mouth.
That pipe was also confiscated.
Officers conducted a search of the vehicle and recovered multiple items of drug paraphernalia.
According to authorities, Vidal was charged with felony possession of drugs (F3) and three counts of possession of drug paraphernalia. She was taken into custody at the scene.
The raccoon, identified as “Chewy,” was not harmed during the incident. Officers confirmed that appropriate agencies were notified to verify whether Vidal had proper documentation to legally possess the raccoon.
In the state of Ohio, raccoons are classified as wild animals, and specific permits are typically required to keep them as pets.
“Thankfully, Chewy the raccoon was unharmed,” police said in a public statement.
“Notification was made to the proper authorities to determine that she has the proper paperwork and documentation to own the raccoon. While our officers are trained to expect the unexpected, finding a raccoon holding a meth pipe is a first!”
As of the time of the report, no additional charges related to animal possession have been filed, but authorities indicated that further review by animal control and state wildlife officials is underway.
Vidal is currently being held pending court proceedings.
The investigation remains active.
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