Alligator captured in Nassau parking lot

An alligator crawling across the parking lot of a supermarket in Baldwin Tuesday night was captured after an alert shopper saw the reptile and called Nassau police, authorities said.

Officers responded at about 7:51 p.m. to the lot at 1764 Grand Ave. They controlled the alligator and held it while waiting for the Nassau Emergency Services Unit, police said. The reptile was placed in a cage and officers with the unit were locating a wildlife expert Tuesday night, police said.

It was the second time in less than a week that a gator was nabbed on Long Island. Another was caught Friday in Mastic Beach. It was not known how either got loose or who owned them, police said.

The Mastic Beach gator was about 2 1/2 feet long and weighed between 3 and 4 pounds, Suffolk police said. Suffolk officers soon were able to tape the alligator's mouth taped shut before it was taken to a Shirley pet store. Officials said eventually that gator was to be moved to Jungle Bob's in Centereach.