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A pint-sized alligator snuck into a North Carolina bagel shop last week — sending its panicked employees into a hysteria.
The 3-foot gator made its way inside Bagel Dock Express in Southport Thursday after strolling through the back door which had been left open, according to footage shared by the business.
Surveillance footage captured the petite alligator’s entire bagel store invasion — from making its way through the back stock room and into the kitchen before arriving at the front of the shop.
The bite-size bandit then started lurking behind the front counter when shop owner Jesse Driscoll spotted the gator and jumped dramatically in fear.
Driscoll immediately jetted outside and quickly dragged another man into the store to show him the startling sight.
“It’s just so far out of the ordinary for a bagel shop,” a stunned Driscoll told WWAY News.
“You can see lots of things. People coming in. Friends coming in to say hi,” he said. “But, never in a million years did I think I’d see an alligator.”
The owner said he quickly called 911 and the gator was safely removed by Southport police and Animal Protective Services.
“Alligator- Isle 1,” the Southport Police Department quipped on social media, alongside photos of the tiny critter.
Driscoll said he was distracted with the installation of a new oven when the scaly-intruder rolled in.
Bagel Dock Express joked on social media that “Apparently, word of our fresh bagels has made its way into the swamp!”
“No injuries, no drama … just one very unusual customer! Fresh bagels. Wild experiences,” the store wrote.
