Fashion Victim or the Real Bigfoot? Hairy ‘Monster’ Terrifies an Entire US Town

Maine police launched an investigation after a small town was flooded with 911 calls from residents claiming they had spotted Bigfoot wandering the streets. It eventually turned out that the mysterious creature was simply a man in a furry costume — albeit one so convincing that he managed to scare an entire town, according to the New York Post.

Police in Damariscotta, Maine, received an “unusually high number of calls” about a Sasquatch-like creature roaming the small tourist town on Maine’s midcoast.

The “Bigfoot” appeared right in the center of town in the morning, including during the rush when parents were dropping their children off at school on the first day of the new school year.

The bizarre sighting caused enough alarm among locals that some began taking pictures of the strange figure. The images showed a huge creature covered in fur from head to toe — and wearing a top hat.

But the mystery was soon revealed to be far less supernatural.

Officer William Smith found the elusive “Bigfoot” sitting peacefully on Main Street. Upon closer inspection, it became clear that he was simply a man wearing a “very convincing” Bigfoot costume, police said.

The officer and the costumed “Bigfoot” calmly chatted, but their conversation was soon interrupted by excited locals who wanted to take photos with the unusual character.

Following a “long, exhaustive and completely serious investigation,” Damariscotta police delivered their final verdict:

“We understand that this may come as a disappointment to some,” officers joked. “Honestly, there were members of our department who secretly hoped we had finally stumbled upon something that would truly bring national fame to our town.”

The self-proclaimed Bigfoot enthusiast was not arrested, however. According to police, there was no evidence of any criminal activity.