Escaped monkey runs riot in Indianapolis neighbourhood

Momo the monkey has escaped his home, now a hunt for the escapee is currently underway

An unlikely manhunt is under way to catch an escaped monkey that is running riot around an Indianapolis neighbourhood.

Momo the monkey escaped from owner Wayne Pham’s home near 500 Ironridge Court, south of East Washington Street and South Mitthoefer Road, in the Irongate neighbourhood at around 4.45pm on Wednesday, according to authorities.

Indianapolis Police said that officers responded to the area to assist Animal Care Services in finding the monkey just after 6.30pm.

The search was called a day at around 8.40pm and police left the area, Fox 59 reported.

The monkey has been causing chaos while on the loose, with police warning that he has caused some injuries to local residents – however they could not confirm whether the injuries came from bites.

The monkey’s concerned owner appealed for help in finding Momo on the ‘Indy pets: Lost & Found’ Facebook page.

Mr Pham told residents not to approach Momo if they spot him but just call the police or animal control.

Over two hundred Indianapolis residents responded to Mr Pham’s pleas to bring Momo home.

Some community members said they had spotted Momo on his outing – in people’s garages, front gardens and even on top of their cars.

The monkey even made a quick pit stop to drink from a woman’s Pepsi can in her garage, Fox 59 claimed.

The fugitive at large (IMPD)

WishTV reported that another neighbour told police that the monkey was seen drinking something a bit stronger – a beer from a trash can.

Momo was last seen in the 10000 block of Gate Drive and has yet not been captured, police said on Wednesday night.

This is not Momo’s first time running riot around Indianapolis, according to the local Facebook page.

The escape artist also fled his home on 10 July, but was later found and returned home.

Indiana is one of the 24 states where it is legal to own a pet monkey.