The Raleigh Police Department has put out an all-points bulletin on a prowler in the city. He’s been spotted in multiple neighborhoods sneaking around after dark with a black mask on. If you see anyone meeting the description, you are asked to immediately contact law enforcement.

The suspect was recently spotted after a homeowner off of Western Boulevard heard a crashing from her trash cans being forcibly knocked over. As the homeowner, Miss Emily Weaver, exited her home, she saw the masked bandit fleeing on foot down the alley toward her neighbor’s driveway.

Corey Buchanan, a close friend of hers, then received a phone call warning him of the approaching intruder.

“Emily called me and I could tell something was wrong. She was breathing hard and her voice sounded really frightened. She said I better keep a look out and make sure my animals were inside and safe.”

Mr. Buchanan proceeded cautiously towards his back porch upon seeing the motion sensing lights flick on suddenly. At his dog’s dish, on all fours, was someone closely matching the description given by his friend.

He banged on the glass and the trespasser fled into his back yard and over the fence.

“This suspect has been spotted for many nights in a row lurking around Raleigh neighborhoods. He often is seen retreating with items nabbed from the properties he is stalking,” said Sergeant Jim Wilson of the Wake County Sheriff’s Department. “We have been in pursuit of him for a while hoping to end the disturbances caused by this menace, once and for all.”

The local police and sheriff’s department are devoting extra resources to patrol areas he is in the habit of visiting.Trespassing on private property is a misdemeanor but breaking and entering is a class H felony in North Carolina. The crimes mentioned above are not believed to be isolated incidents, either. Similar reports have been trickling in for months. Homeowners describe items stolen from their trash cans and pet dishes, and occasionally an assault on a cat or dog over their food and water.

The suspect is described as a masked individual about a foot long, hairy, and 15 pounds. He is in the habit of walking on all fours and is a skilled climber. Emanating from his hind quarters is a tail covered in the same brown and black fur as the rest of his body. If you see him, proceed with caution as he is presumed to be dangerous. He really isn’t that bad, though. He’s just a raccoon. April Fools. If one does become a nuisance, contact us and we’ll take care of him.

cc license image credit Cindy on Flickr