Mystery of wandering giant tortoise near L.A. solved

ALHAMBRA, Calif. - The mystery of the found 150-pound tortoise in Alhambra near Los Angeles has been solved.

The hefty reptile was spotted about 1 p.m. Saturday, reports CBS Los Angeles.

The Alhambra Police Department put out a release stating: "The tortoise did try to make a run for it; but, our officers are pretty fast. Almost had a pursuit! It took two officers to take this guy into custody because it weighs about 150 pounds (and our cuffs . . . well not practical in this situation)"

Police could not rule out if the tortoise was abandoned or from the wild but reported Sunday on their Facebook page the reptile and his human family have been reunited.

Eight different people called claiming to be the rightful owner -- at least one other called about a possible adoption -- but Animal Control was able to determine who the turtle belonged to by revealing "distinctive markings."

For the record, the tortoise is named Clark.

Officials said it is technically illegal to posses the animal but police said "we enjoy keeping families together, so an exception was made in this case."