Police officer captures wayward snake near Newark home

NEWARK -- Authorities are trying to track down the owner of a wayward six-foot snake that was found outside a home in New Jersey's largest city.

Newark police say a resident walked into a city police building around 1:30 p.m. Sunday and reported seeing the snake on Fillmore Street. A police officer went to the scene and soon located the snake near the base of a house.

Using a box provided by a passer-by, the officer soon trapped the snake and turned it over to animal control workers.

Authorities believe the snake is likely an escaped pet. But they have not yet determined the species of the snake, which was black and white in color.