CINCINNATI - Police found a lot more than the stolen tools they were looking for inside the "Just Stuff" consignment shop in Lockland.
"During the course of the search of the building we came across a live alligator," said Lieutenant Terry Wilkerson of the Lockland Police Department.
Wilkerson told reporters that his agency was working with the Blue Ash police department looking for stolen tools.
"Additionally in the course of searching the building we found what I would call improvised explosive devices," said Wilkerson.
Lockland police called the Hamilton county bomb squad and the S.P.C.A. to deal with the bizarre discovery.
"It's hardly ever open," Curt Goldson, a neighbor, said of the store.
After a few hours the bomb squad removed the devices from the building and then deputy Dan Conners of the S.P.C.A. went in to remove the baby gator. He found it in a secret room in the basement.
"Where he was there was sand and a kiddie pool filled with water and some palm trees," said Conners.
Police did find some of the tools they were looking for but say no charges have been filed in the case. They say the investigation is ongoing.
The S.P.C.A. will attempt to find the proper home for the alligator.
