Alligator forces Wilmington police to close busy road

Police in Wilmington closed a road Tuesday morning after an alligator was spotted.

The area near McRae Street and Cornelius Harnett Drive was closed before 10 a.m. after the unexpected visitor was spotted on the side of the road, according to a tweet by police.

In one of the pictures, the gator can be seen taking a break in the shade from the overpass.

Police were advising drivers to avoid the area until North Carolina wildlife officers can safely remove the alligator, WECT reported.