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Hamilton police officer captures stolen python that slithered out of suspect’s coat

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A Hamilton police officer was met with a surprise during an arrest when a stolen snake slithered out of the suspect’s jacket.

The force says it responded around 5 a.m. to The Reptile Store on King St. East for reports of a person breaking a window to enter inside of the business.

Upon arrival, officers arrested and charged a man in his 40s with break and enter – commit.

Police said in a tweet Thursday that the Green tree python worth $2,000 was stolen from the pet store.

A picture taken during the incident shows an officer using an ASP baton to capture the python after it escaped from the suspect’s coat.

“You never know what you’ll discover on patrol,” the force said in the tweet.

Officers say they returned the snake to its cage in the reptile store.

“Officers learned after that this type of snake is not venomous, however, dangerous,” police say.

Jeff Reynolds, the general manager of The Reptile Store, says the python stolen is not for sale and is only used for educational purposes.