A spree of burglaries has turned out to be the work of a naughty monkey and not a criminal gang as first feared.
The police received multiple reports of home intrusions in a city over consecutive days.
Residents came home to find their properties ransacked, but all their valuables intact.
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Cops then received reports of a monkey being seen climbing trees, running across rooftops, and scaling power lines in the area.
After a short investigation, the police worked out the homes were “damaged” by a black-capped capuchin monkey, also known as a tufted capuchin.
It had broken into multiple homes in the San Isidro housing complex in Ica, south east of Peru, last week.
Investigators found the primate hiding up a neighbourhood tree.
The National Forestry and Wildlife Service (SERFOR) said the monkey is native to the Amazon and not the local area.
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As a result, they suspect the primate was being kept as a pet in a nearby home.
Officials found marks around the monkey’s waist that suggested it had been tied with a chain or rope.
The New World primate is currently being kept in quarantine at the Ica Municipal Zoo, as reported by What’s The Jam.
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The authorities said it is too domesticated to be released into the wild, but it’s unclear whether it will stay at the zoo or be moved to an animal sanctuary.
SERFOR said: “The specimen is being kept safe in the quarantine area of the municipal zoo under constant observation.
“The primate’s return to its natural habitat has been ruled out as it shows signs of having been tied with a rope or chain around its waist.
“This suggests it was kept as a pet in a local home.
“The illegal hunting, capture, possession, transportation, and trade of wild animals without authorisation are very serious offences.”
SERFOR is still trying to identify the monkey’s owner.
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