UNION CITY, Calif. -- It was a pot growing bust that Union City police won't soon forget. After all, it's not everyday when you come face-to-face with a 6-foot American Alligator inside a Bay Area apartment complex.

Lt. Ben Horner said the drama began to unfold early Friday when officers served a probation warrant on Eric Windom on his 30th birthday at his apartment in the Westview Apartment complex on Decato Road.

A search of the apartment uncovered a number of marijuana plants in various stages of growth and harvest. Windom was immediately taken into custody on illegal possession and sale of marijuana and felon in possession of a handgun charges.

But the stunner came when officers walked into the front room and discovered the alligator sitting in a large glass terrarium.

A call was immediately made to the Oakland Zoo for advice on how to remove the creature.

Zoo officials told police they needed to "get your four strongest officers" and grab the head, tail and legs and quickly tape the alligator's mouth shut.

The creature was secured and taken to the Oakland Zoo. Windom, meanwhile, was taken to jail and arresting officers had a story few would believe.