“Strange Encounter on Patrol 🦝 On May 5th, at approximately 7:15 PM, Springfield Township Police Officer Austin Branham, conducted a traffic stop on South Arlington Road after identifying a vehicle whose registered owner had an active warrant and a suspended driver’s license. During the investigation, Officer Branham made contact with the driver, identified as 55 year old Victoria Vidal (of Woodbirch Ave. in the City of Akron), and detained her without incident. However, things took an unusual turn. 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. Chewy had somehow gotten hold of a glass methamphetamine pipe, leading officers to further inspect the vehicle. A subsequent search revealed: Bulk amount of Methamphetamine, Crack Cocaine, Three used glass meth pipes.”

“Ms Vidal was charged with F3 possession of drugs, three counts of possession of drug paraphernalia, and was cited for driving under suspension. She was also turned over to Cuyahoga Falls Police on her active warrant. Additional charges related to crack cocaine possession will be presented at Grand Jury pending BCI lab results. Thankfully, Chewy the raccoon was unharmed, and 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! No raccoons were hurt or injured in this incident.”

“As always, we remain committed to keeping our community safe – no matter what surprises may come our way,” says a press release from the Springfield, Ohio Township Police Department.