Police Detains Michigan Man and His Passenger 'Karen the Alligator' After Car Chase

Karen the alligator was detained by police along with her owner following a brief car chase in Michigan last weekend.

The police pursuit started when the vehicle's 40-year-old male driver from Oak Park allegedly fled from an imposed traffic stop.

Prior to the chase, a police officer reportedly saw the Michigan man traveling at a high speed and attempted to pull over the driver.

Local authorities said they will not press charges against car's alligator passenger even though she also tried to flee from the police.

The chase ended when the driver bumped and got stuck between two trees. The suspect is now facing several warrants and charges.

Meanwhile, Karen, who also turned out to be a TikTok star, has been taken into an animal sanctuary.

Car Chase

(Photo : Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

In a Facebook post by the Lake County Sheriff's Office - Michigan (LCSO) on Monday, June 13, the police station narrated the vehicle pursuit that occurred around 11:00 p.m. local time along the US-10 while the said vehicle was over speeding.

The FB incident release also indicated that the chase not only included the sheriff's deputies but also law enforcement members of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

The brief pursuit terminated when the vehicle got stuck between the two trees in the Rails-To-Rails pathway.

Both the driver an animal passenger were detained.

However, the authorities engaged in a momentary scuffle with Karen before they were able to subdue her.

The officials believed that the small alligator was an "unwilling participant" and was never in control of the car, as cited by CBS News.

Also Read: Wildlife Officials Kill Giant Alligator Discovered in Oklahoma Lake

TikTok Star

Karen is reportedly believed to be the same alligator TikTok star found in popular videos under the "adayinthelifeofkaren_" TikTok page with 10.9 million views as of Thursday, June 16.

The information was confirmed by the US news website Mediaite, who reached out to the LCSO and spoke to Sheriff Rich Martin, stating the recovered alligator after the car chase was the same reptile as "Karen the Alligator" TikTok persona with more than 80,000 followers.

This also means that the individual running both TikTok pages is none other than the arrested and charged Michigan man in the car pursuit.

Animal Sanctuary

The LCSO contacted the Cicchelli Second Chance Rescue and Exotics, an animal sanctuary in Lake City, Michigan, to place Karen under its care.

The sanctuary's owner April Cicchelli stated they have received and assisted a dozen law enforcement calls that mostly pertain to reptiles, as cited by 9&10 News, a CBS-affiliate local media.

Cicchelli assured they will take proper care of Karen while her owner is facing his own legal battle with local officials and other jurisdiction.

Animals are protected under Michigan animal cruelty laws.

While there is no evidence that Karen the alligator was abused or neglected, the indefinite care provided to her is necessary due to the absence of his owner.

Under the circumstance, it seems Karen will not be posting any new TikTok videos anytime soon.