Watch as Scared Deer Trashes TJ Maxx in Rockland on Thanksgiving

Rockland Police were surprised to find a four-legged intruder when answering an alarm call.

How Did the Animal Get Into the Store?

It was around 1:00 Thanksgiving afternoon when Rockland Police responded to an alarm call at TJ Maxx. When they arrived, officers found that entry into the building was not by a skilled cat burglar who sneaked in undetected because one of the large front glass windows was smashed out and items were knocked over inside the store.

What Did Police Find When They Walk Inside?

Police secured the entry and all the exit points, with help from officers from other jurisdictions and began their search of the premises, in hopes of finding the crooks who were suspected to still be in the store. What they found was not, exactly, what they were expecting. Part of the animal's tour of the store was caught on surveillance video.

Instead of someone eager to get a head start on black Friday shopping, police found a whitetail deer who just wanted to find their way back to the forest. A discovery they termed in a post on the department's Facebook page as a "fawn-tastic surprise." I guess if you're trying to avoid Thanksgiving Day hunters, hiding out at TJ Maxx is not a bad idea.

Were They Able to Get the Deer Out Safely?

It could have ended very differently but police worked with store managers to herd the deer outside on its own, without serious injury. A story those officers will likely tell over Thanksgiving turkeys for years to come.