An unusual incident occurred in Ohio when a woman was arrested during a traffic stop, revealing a pet raccoon named “Chewy” sitting in the driver’s seat with a methamphetamine pipe in its mouth. Officers were amused as one of them noted on body cam footage, “The raccoon has her meth pipe,” before retrieving it from the animal, only for the raccoon to pull out another pipe. The Springfield Township Police Department remarked that encountering a raccoon with a meth pipe was a first for their officers.
The traffic stop took place after it was discovered that the vehicle’s registered owner had an active warrant and a suspended driver’s license. Upon inspection, officers found not only the methamphetamine pipe but also a substantial amount of methamphetamine, crack cocaine, and multiple used meth pipes inside the vehicle. The driver, Victoria Vidal, 55, from Akron, was charged with three counts of possession of drug paraphernalia and cited for driving under suspension. Additional charges for crack cocaine possession may follow pending lab results.
Despite the strange circumstances, officers confirmed that Vidal had the necessary permits to own the raccoon in Ohio, where domestication of raccoons is permitted. They safely placed Chewy in a carrier and reached out to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources for rehoming. The department reiterated their commitment to community safety and their readiness to handle unexpected events. This encounter highlights not only the difficulties of drug-related offenses but also the quirky situations law enforcement may face.
Note: The image is for illustrative purposes only and is not the original image associated with the presented article. Due to copyright reasons, we are unable to use the original images. However, you can still enjoy the accurate and up-to-date content and information provided.
