The Alhambra Police Department joked on its Facebook page that the 150-pound reptile was captured Saturday afternoon after a brief pursuit.
"The tortoise did try to make a run for it; but, our officers are pretty fast," the post said.
It took two officers to heft the hard-shelled creature into a patrol car. They then took the reptile to the local police station before turning it over to animal control authorities.
Giant tortoises are not indigenous to the Los Angeles area.
Police are asking anyone with a big tortoise that went missing this weekend to contact them. They aren't sure if this one escaped or was abandoned by its owner.
Police say this particular reptile has some distinctive markings. They aren't revealing them for the time being, however, to ensure that whoever claims the tortoise is its rightful owner.
Update: From Alhambra Police Department's Facebook Page:
The tortoise is actually named "Dirk." He has been reunited with his human family who actually live in Alhambra. According to 21310 of the Penal Code, it is illegal to possess a "dirk."
We enjoy keeping families together, so an exception was made in this case.
We stand corrected and have edited this post at 4:30 p.m. The tortoises' confirmed name is CLARK. Thank you Alhambra partners and FB friends! Until next time.
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