Residents of a southern Florida city said they were on the lookout for a 7-foot alligator seen crossing a city street during the weekend.

ADVERTISEMENT

Miramar resident Floyd Chong, 55, said he nearly ran over the gator while driving in the Nautica gated community about 8:30 p.m. Saturday, the South Florida Sun Sentinel reported Monday.

"I thought it was a palm frond across the street actually but when I shone my headlights on it, it was a nice-sized alligator," he said. "When he saw my lights, he stopped and froze for a while and then he went on the sidewalk."

A crowd of about 30 residents gathered in the area to take pictures of the unusual sight, spooking the animal into a nearby lake.

Miramar police said animal trappers were searching for the alligator.