ROCKLEDGE, Fla. -- A large monitor lizard that concerned officers because it was lurking near an elementary school was captured by officers and thrown into a patrol car.

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IMAGES: Lizard In Patrol Car

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Two Rockledge police officers on traffic duty spotted the reptile slithering near the Garden Club, a social hall at Fiske and St. Andrews Boulevards.

Officers were worried about the safety of children at a nearby school and took action.

"Our concern was that it was very close to Golfview Elementary School, so we wanted to catch him before the kids got out of school," said Rockledge police spokeswoman Sgt. Donna Seyferth, adding that the animals typically aren’t friendly.

Seyferth said monitor lizards, which aren’t indigenous to Florida, typically are found in the southern part of the state.

It is not known where the lizard came from.

"We haven't had anyone report one missing," Seyferth said. "We don't know where he came from."

The large lizard was turned over to animal control after it was removed from the police vehicle.

Watch Local 6 News for more on this story.