Daijiworld Media Network - North Carolina

North Carolina, Jun 8: An enormous alligator, weighing nearly 400 pounds and stretching close to 10 feet in length, caused a hilarious commotion in Onslow County after it was spotted basking on the roadside of Old 30 Road on May 28.

Deputies from the Onslow County Sheriff’s Office and wildlife officers from the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission quickly responded and safely wrangled the hefty reptile, now affectionately dubbed “Pepe the Gator.”

In a cheeky Facebook post that went viral, the Sheriff’s Office joked about Pepe’s “arrest,” calling him a ‘prehistoric perp.’ The post read, “Deputies wrangled this prehistoric perp off the pavement today after he was caught loitering near the double yellow line… Witnesses say he was just chilling and snapping, clearly ignoring the ‘no loitering or lounging on roadways’ sign.”

Pepe was humorously ‘charged’ with being a ‘Dinosaur Without Proper Papers,’ ‘Public Loitering with Intent to Sunbathe,’ and ‘Obstructing Traffic.’ No injuries were reported, though deputies noted the gator’s pride may have taken a hit when it refused to be cuffed.

The social media post, featuring images of Pepe with grinning officials, garnered hundreds of amused reactions and comments online.

According to People, the gator was later relocated to Camp Geiger, a Marine Corps base in Jacksonville. Officials believe Pepe had wandered three to five miles from his natural habitat.

“It was lost and wasn't where it needed to be,” a representative told People, confirming the gator’s safe return to the wild.