Whereas Punxsutawney Phil was making his Groundhog Day climate prediction, authorities in Florida had their very own creature issues after a person sporting a Sonic the Hedgehog masks tried to rob a financial institution.

The theft came about Wednesday afternoon at Florida Credit score Union in DeLand, a metropolis north of Orlando, police stated in a Fb publish. Officers have been dispatched to the credit score union and spoke to witnesses who stated the suspect was sporting a masks within the likeness of the blue anthropomorphic hedgehog who's on the heart of the Sega online game franchise.

Police say the suspect entered the credit score union displaying a hammer and demanding money from the teller.

"Whereas demanding money from the teller, the suspect then struck the teller's window with the hammer as he continued along with his calls for," the police stated within the assertion.

Man Wearing Sonic Mask Robbery
Police in DeLand, Florida, are trying to find somebody who tried to rob a credit score union whereas sporting a Sonic the Hedgehog masks.

Police responded to the theft, however the suspect, clad within the masks of the supersonic hedgehog, was too quick.

After being confronted by a credit score union worker, the suspect fled the placement on foot. The DeLand Police Division, Volusia Sheriff's Workplace and Air One searched unsuccessfully for the suspect, who has not been arrested, in accordance with the police assertion.

Along with the Sonic the Hedgehog masks, the suspect was additionally sporting a black hoodie, black pants and carrying a black or gray backpack or duffle bag, in accordance with police. In a follow-up assertion posted to Fb, police stated they consider the suspect's shirt stated "Let's Go Brandon," a political slogan that references a profane insult in opposition to President Joe Biden.

The incident stays below investigation and legislation enforcement are in search of suggestions from the general public, police stated.

Newsweek has reached out to the DeLand Police Division for remark.

Brian Leatherman, Florida Credit score Union's assistant vp of department operations, instructed The West Volusia Beacon that nobody was injured through the incident, the constructing was not broken and no cash was stolen through the tried theft.

"All people is protected, nothing was taken, and native police are on it," Leatherman instructed the paper.

In the meantime, crowds gathered in Gobbler's Knob in Pennsylvania Wednesday as a part of the annual Groundhog Day custom to see if Punxsutawney Phil would predict six extra weeks of winter. In response to custom, if Phil noticed his shadow and the climate is evident, one other six weeks of winter are in retailer. Nevertheless, if the groundhog does not see his shadow and the day is overcast, an early spring is on the way in which.

This yr, Punxsutawney Phil noticed his shadow.