In Onslow County, North Carolina, deputies from the Sheriff’s Office and officers from the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission were called out to Old 30 Road because a massive alligator measuring almost 10 feet long and weighing nearly 400 pounds was roaming by the side of the road, completely unbothered by the passing traffic.
This giant reptile, now affectionately nicknamed “Pepe the Gator,” quickly became an internet sensation. The Sheriff’s Office had a little fun with it, too. In a Facebook post that went viral, they called Pepe a “prehistoric perp” caught loitering near the double yellow line. Apparently, he was “just chilling and snapping,” totally ignoring the “no loitering or lounging on roadways” sign.
But wait, it gets better. The playful press release listed some hilarious “charges” against Pepe:
• Suspicion of Being a Dinosaur Without Proper Papers
• Public Loitering with Intent to Sunbathe
• Obstructing Traffic
The post included some epic photos of Pepe with the amused officers, and social media just ran with it. People were cracking jokes, sharing memes, and even suggesting Pepe deserved a parade for his “prehistoric” antics.
After his unexpected road trip, Pepe was safely relocated to Camp Geiger, a Marine Corps base in Jacksonville, North Carolina. Officials believe he had wandered about three to five miles from the nearest water source.
As one representative put it, “He was lost and wasn’t where he needed to be.” Now, Pepe’s back where he belongs, hopefully steering clear of traffic signs and double yellow lines.
