Police chase monkey in Tokyo subway

TOKYO, Aug. 20 (UPI) -- Tokyo police have chased a monkey out of a subway station, marking the third time a monkey has been spotted inside the city this month, authorities said.

The spectacle of a monkey, usually in the mountains and hills outside of the city, perched atop the arrivals and departures board at one of Tokyo's busiest subway stations led many commuters to gather and take cell phone pictures of the animal while police roped off the area, CNN reported Wednesday.

About 30 police officers wielding green nets and tarps attempted to trap the monkey, but the spry simian jumped into the assembled crowd and outran the pursuing officers outside the station.

Monkeys were previously spotted in Tokyo Aug. 12 and Monday, but authorities said they do not know whether all three sightings were of the same animal.