Storm Lake Police Capture Sinclair Dino in ‘Dramatic’ Foot Pursuit

In a wild and crazy move that recalls the time Dallas County Sheriffs arrested the Grinch on Christmas Eve, effectively saving the holiday, the Storm Lake Police Department had their work cut out for them when Sinclair's iconic Dino the Dinosaur made a run for it earlier this week.

To quote the great rapper Future: "it's crazy, but it's true." The Storm Lake Police Department took to Facebook this week to reveal that while their officers were on patrol on the evening of Monday, March 4th, they got a call that sounded like something out of Jurassic Park.

The Midtown Sinclair dinosaur, the mascot that normally stands tall at 1100 East Fifth Street in Storm Lake, IA, broke free due to the high winds that have been whipping through Iowa recently. Per the police department's Facebook page, Dino "showed zero concern for traffic laws." He failed to look both ways before crossing, and didn't display a "City of Storm Lake Dino tag," both significant violations.

To make matters worse, Dino had "no license, no leash, and a blatant disregard for pedestrian safety" in what Storm Lake Police deemed "classic dinosaur behavior."

The "dramatic" foot pursuit eventually resulted in officers wrangling the gigantic reptile before returning him to the Midtown Sinclair. Dino's condition is unknown, but judging from the pictures posted by the police department, he appears to be in stable condition with minimal injuries.

If you'd like a profile of Dino the Dinosaur, this YouTube short provides context.

The Storm Lake Police Department took this as an opportunity to caution residents about the dangers of days windy enough to prompt a Wind Advisory:

Let this be a lesson: If the wind is strong enough to launch a dinosaur, maybe stay inside. Stay safe, stay warm, and keep your eyes peeled, because you never know when the next rogue reptile might try to cross against the light - per the Storm Lake Police Department's Facebook page

The iconic Sinclair dinosaurs are seemingly disappearing as the years go by. Here's hoping the one at the Midtown Sinclair in Storm Lake, IA can be preserved. I'd hate to see them go by the wayside, even if they are prone to act up every now and then.