Iguana Walks the Streets in MB

How many police officers and firefighters does it take to capture a three-and-a-half foot Iguana on the streets of Manhattan Beach?

If you were at the scene, you might say two paramedic trucks, three police cars, one motorcycle officer, and a fire truck, but your guess wouldn't be correct, despite appearances to the contrary.

"It was pure coincidence," Manhattan Beach Police Sergeant Steve Kitsios told Manhattan Beach Patch Sunday afternoon about the large number of police and fire personnel who seemingly showed up to assist in the capture of an Iguana clambering across Manhattan Avenue at Fourth Street around 11:30 a.m. Sunday.

The resulting scene was worth a few good laughs, however, as appearances proved deceptive and an Iguana seemed to be receiving quite a large official response to his street moves. 

Kitsios told MB Patch that fire and police personnel had responded to a call in the area that proved to be unfounded when they came upon the Iguana, corralled by a couple of citizens.

"It was great," said Kitsios of the Iguana caper. "It was fun. I've seen cats, I've seen dogs, but I've never seen an Iguana," he said of his years in police work.

"The mother of the Iguana, not the biological one, came out and took custody of the Iguana," reported Kitsios with a chuckle, solving the caper of what to do with the streetwalker.