Police are supposed to catch bandits.
On Sunday, Oct. 8, Port Moody officers gave one its freedom.
Port Moody Police Department spokesperson Const. Sam Zacharias said officers were called to a construction site near Clarke Road at around 9 p.m. after a security guide reported an animal wailing in distress.
It was believed to be trapped in an industrial receptacle.
Zacharias said when officers got to the site, they climbed the waste bin and discovered a lone raccoon stuck amidst the piles of boards, plywood and other construction detritus — unable to scale the vertical walls to get out.
So one officer grabbed a long piece of 2x4 board and tipped it into the steel bin to create an exit ramp.
The raccoon quickly clambered aboard and made its escape while the officer got out of the way.
“This is certainly a unique call,” Zacharias said.
“Often times, we have to think outside of the box — or receptacle — to troubleshoot and solve problems.”
He added the raccoon seemed none the worse for wear after its garbage bin adventure.