In what might be the most Ohio story of the week—and possibly the year—a raccoon named Chewy managed to grab headlines and a meth pipe during a routine traffic stop that took an unexpected detour into the bizarre.
Springfield Township Police pulled over 55-year-old Victoria Vidal on Monday for a pair of decidedly human offenses: an active warrant and a suspended driver’s license. Things were already looking shaky for Vidal when officers detained her. But the situation quickly shifted from standard procedure to small-town spectacle once officers returned to her vehicle.
There, sitting calmly in the front seat like it was just another Monday, was Chewy—a raccoon—with what officers described as a glass meth pipe in its mouth. Yes, an actual raccoon. With an actual meth pipe. In its actual mouth.
“Chewy had somehow gotten hold of a glass methamphetamine pipe,” the department posted on Facebook, casually, as if raccoons with drug paraphernalia were just another line item on the shift report. Naturally, this prompted a more thorough search of the vehicle, where officers discovered a bulk amount of methamphetamine, some crack cocaine, and three additional used meth pipes. Chewy, it seems, had company in the paraphernalia department.
The raccoon, fortunately, was unharmed and, according to police, not under the influence of anything besides whatever raccoons normally run on—which is probably enough chaos already without adding stimulants. “Thankfully, Chewy the raccoon was unharmed,” police said. “Notification was made to the proper authorities to determine that she has the proper paperwork and documentation to own the raccoon.”
🚔🦝Ohio police got the shock of a lifetime when they pulled over Victoria Vidal—only to find her pet raccoon, Chewy, gripping a glass meth pipe in its mouth. The bizarre bust led officers to uncover meth, crack cocaine & drug paraphernalia in vehicle. Vidal was arrested, but… pic.twitter.com/7Krh7B94O0
— GoodMorningRooster (@RoosterGM) May 7, 2025
Because, yes, this being Ohio, it is perfectly legal to own a raccoon—as long as you have the right permits. What remains unclear is whether Chewy’s adventure in the passenger seat has jeopardized her return to Vidal. Authorities have not disclosed where Chewy is now residing, nor whether she’ll be reunited with her former handler or turned over to more… conventional caretakers.
Police acknowledged the unusual nature of the discovery, stating with just the right amount of understatement: “While our officers are trained to expect the unexpected, finding a raccoon holding a meth pipe is a first!” They also reiterated their commitment to public safety, adding, “No matter what surprises may come our way.”
Vidal, for her part, was charged with possession of drugs, three counts of possession of drug paraphernalia, and was cited for driving on a suspended license. Additional charges related to the crack cocaine are pending lab results and will be presented to a grand jury.
🚨 WILD STOP: Ohio police pull over a car and find ‘Chewy’ the raccoon in the driver’s seat, clutching a meth pipe! 🦝 Cops detained Victoria Vidal, 55, uncovering meth, crack cocaine, and three used pipes.
Chewy’s unharmed, and authorities are checking Vidal’s raccoon permit.… pic.twitter.com/zGoRkHvNKa
— PitunisWorld 🌎 (@ScMesab) May 7, 2025
As for Chewy, she appears to have sparked more than just curiosity. The raccoon has become a local legend of sorts, and while she may not have intended to, she certainly helped police uncover a notable stash of narcotics. Whether Chewy’s next chapter includes a new home or an awareness campaign on the dangers of drug use (for humans and wildlife alike) remains to be seen.
For now, she remains a furry footnote in what started as an ordinary traffic stop and ended as a uniquely Ohioan moment of wild, unpredictable law enforcement lore.
