In a surprising turn of events, Springfield Township Police in Ohio discovered a pet raccoon holding a meth pipe during a routine traffic stop on Monday (May 5). Officer Austin Branham initiated the stop on South Arlington Road after identifying a vehicle whose owner, Victoria Vidal, 55, had an active warrant and a suspended driver’s license.
Upon approaching the vehicle, Officer Branham detained Vidal without incident. However, when he returned to the car, he found the raccoon, named Chewy, in the driver’s seat with a meth pipe in its mouth. This unusual discovery prompted a thorough search of the vehicle.
The search revealed a large quantity of methamphetamine, crack cocaine, and three used glass pipes. Vidal was charged with third-degree felony drug possession, three counts of possessing drug paraphernalia, and cited for driving under suspension. She was also taken into custody by Cuyahoga Falls Police on her active warrant. Additional charges related to crack cocaine possession are pending, subject to lab results.
The police confirmed that Vidal had the proper documentation to own Chewy as a pet, which is legal in Ohio with the appropriate paperwork. Fortunately, Chewy was unharmed in the incident, and authorities reassured the public that they remain committed to community safety, despite unexpected surprises.
The Springfield Township Police Department emphasized the unusual nature of the encounter, stating, “While our officers are trained to expect the unexpected, finding a raccoon holding a meth pipe is a first!”
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