Subscribe | UPI Odd Newsletter Subscribe July 11 (UPI) -- An alligator spotted swimming in an Indiana neighborhood's retention pond was captured by a local resident early Wednesday morning. The Marshall County Sheriff's Office confirmed this week that a small alligator, approximately 2-3 feet long, was spotted swimming in a retention pond in the Pilgrim Meadows area of Plymouth. Advertisement Numerous attempts were made to catch the reptile before Brandon Crawford successfully nabbed the gator in the early hours Wednesday. "I just did it so no kids would get hurt," Crawford told WNDU-TV. Crawford said he used a frog to lure the gator to shore. A local couple have come forward to claim the alligator was their pet before it escaped. Alligators are legal to keep as pets in Indiana so long as they measure under 5 feet long. It was unclear whether the gator would be returned to its owners or taken to a new home. Read More Police find alligator in suspects' getaway car Deputies help catch 13-foot gator at Florida park Uninvited alligator caught swimming in Florida community pool