It wasn't exactly what they were looking for, but police in New Jersey made a startling discovery Saturday while executing a search warrant: an alligator.

A Long Branch resident apparently was keeping the reptile as a pet, police said. Officers confiscated the beast, which eventually was turned over to the state Division of Fish & Wildlife.

A maximum fine of $25,000 is possible for housing such a reptile, Long Branch police said.

It's likely a new home for the gator will be found in a zoo or aquarium, police said.

