SUMMIT COUNTY, Ohio — A local police department had a strange encounter when making a traffic stop.  

What You Need To Know

  • During a traffic stop, Springfield Township officers came across a raccoon

  • The raccoon in the car was holding a meth pipe, which made the officers search the car further

  • The driver has been charged with drug possession

Earlier this week, the Springfield Township Police Department conducted a traffic stop on South Arlington Road after they found a car that belonged to an owner had an active warrant, as well as a suspended driver's license. 

Police made contact with the driver, who was detained without incident. But after that, the police department said things took a turn. 

When an officer returned to the car, he found a raccoon named "Chewy" in the driver's seat with a meth pipe in its mouth. Chewy had somehow gotten ahold of it, which led officers to further search the vehicle. 

They found a bulk amount of methamphetamine, crack cocaine and three used glass meth pipes.

The driver, identified as Victoria Vidal, 55, was charged with F3 possession of drugs, three counts of possession of drug paraphernalia and she was cited for driving under suspension. The department said additional charges related to crack cocaine possession will be presented at grand jury, pending lab results. 

Chewy was unharmed, the department said. The police department also determined that the owner had the proper paperwork and documentation to own the raccoon.