NEW YORK - In a bizarre and startling incident in Suffolk County, New York, a white-tailed deer broke through the glass window of a Ridge bank on January 18, creating chaos inside the building. Bodycam footage, released by Reuters, shows the frightened animal entering the bank as the security alarm went off, prompting an immediate police response.
Upon entering the bank, officers were surprised to find a panic-stricken deer instead of a suspect. The footage shows the deer colliding with counters and leaping across tables while trying to escape.
Suffolk County police displayed exceptional restraint and professionalism, using ropes to safely secure and calm the animal before releasing it back into its natural habitat, with no injuries reported to bank staff or officers.
According to the New York Department of Environmental Conservation, around 70,000 incidents annually in the state involve vehicles colliding with deer. Nationally, property damage from such incidents averages over $4,000 per case, highlighting the safety and financial risks posed by wildlife entering human spaces.
Experts say that deforestation and increased urban and commercial development are forcing deer and other wild animals to venture into cities in search of food and shelter, leading to a rise in unusual encounters like this one.