Australian police investigating a suspected break-in at a charity store have discovered the culprit was actually a 5.7-metre (19-foot), 17-kilogramme (37-pound) python.
Queensland state Police Sgt Don Auld said today that officers called to the store in the town of Ingham found a damaged roof, shattered goods and a pool of vomit-like liquid on the floor.
Police initially thought a thief had fallen through the ceiling and then thrown up. Until staffers spotted the giant snake the next day.
Auld says the snake likely entered the store through the roof, fell through the ceiling and then relieved itself on the floor. Its head is the size of a small dog.
Police called a snake catcher who hauled away the reptile. It has been relocated to nearby wetlands.
