Local News

'Jaws' The Alligator Caught In Flushing Meadows Corona Park

/ CBS New York

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) - 'Jaws' has been bagged.

The NYPD had been on the lookout for the 3-foot alligator after several reported sightings near Meadow Lake in Flushing Meadows Corona Park.

Boat rental attendant Joe Genovese nabbed the gator Tuesday using his fishing rod, WCBS 880's Alex Silverman reported.

"I snagged him, brought him in backwards. I hooked him by the tail, so it doesn't injure the alligator," he said. "Got him on the first shot. It was real cool."

A cop from the Emergency Service Unit helped wrangle it on shore.

Listen to 'Jaws' The Alligator Caught In Flushing Meadows Corona Park

"He snared him around the head," Genovese said. "I closed his mouth shut with the tip of my shoe. Once the mouth is shut, you can hold him with two fingers because all of their pressure's on a down bite, not on the open."

Genovese added that he had some experience dealing with alligators in Florida.

It's not clear where the gator came from, but more than likely it was a pet that became too much to handle.

"He wouldn't have made it through the winter," Genovese said. "This way, he'll be relocated and hopefully he'll have a good home."

Police from the 110th Precinct have been diligent about updating its search for the gator since it was first spotted Aug. 1:

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