COVINA — A Covina family found themselves in an unusual predicament Sunday when a large boa constrictor wedged itself in the engine compartment of their car while they were shopping, police and the car’s owner said.
The incident began about 3:30 p.m. in the parking lot of DD’s Discounts, 404 N. Azusa Ave., according to Covina police and the owner of the PT Cruiser, 25-year-old David Morelli.
“Somebody in the parking lot saw what they described as a 7- to 8-foot long snake with a diameter the size of a beer can travelling along the asphalt in the parking lot,” Covina police Lt. Tim Doonan said.
Witnesses then watched as the snake disappeared under Morelli’s car, he said.
Morelli said he was shopping with his wife, 6-year-old daughter and 18-month-old son when an announcement came over the intercom asking the owner of a PT Cruiser to come outside.
“I look in the engine, and lo and behold, there’s a 7-foot boa constrictor in the engine of my car,” he said.
“I touched him,” Morelli said. The snake then slithered it’s way deep into the engine compartment.
Dozens of people gathered around the car to search for the reptile, he said.
“He’s a beautiful snake,” Morelli said. “He’s gorgeous, he just wouldn’t come out.”
When officers arrived, they were unable to see the snake, he added, but witnesses reported it had not yet climbed out of the car.
Morelli started his car in an attempt to scare the snake out of the engine compartment to no avail, Doonan said.
Morelli said officers followed him to his Covina home where he waited for animal control officials.
Animal control officials were unable to find the snake, Morelli said, though no one ever saw the snake come out of the car.
“I honestly can’t say if it’s there, but I think it is,” he said. “I really think the snake is still in my car.”
Morelli said animal control officials advised him to call back if he spots the animal, so in the meantime, he’s just waiting.
“I hope it’s gone,” he said. “I hope it’s okay. I hope we didn’t hurt it.”