Massachusetts, known for its long history of out-of-place alligator sightings that track back to the Ware River encounters of the 1930s, earlier this week was involved with another “crazy croc” incident.

It’s no croc a man told police [on December 9, 2008] he saw a large crocodile swimming in Fiske Pond along Rte. 135.

Police did not find the animal, but state environmental police said they would send someone today to check for the large reptile.

Around 3:30 p.m., the man, whom police did not identify, called police. He said he said an eight-foot crocodile swimming in Fiske Pond about 10 feet from shore heading toward downtown Natick.

“The caller was very emphatic about what he saw,” said Natick Police spokesman Lt. Brian Grassey. “He gave a very detailed description.”

The man left before police got there, but did give his cell phone and name.

Police searched the pond from shore, but found nothing. After about a half-hour “the croc command” was ended, Grassey said.

According to the environmental police, if there really was a crocodile, it would be lethargic due to the chilly temperatures.

This is not the first time a large, toothy reptile has been seen in a MetroWest body of water this year.

In July [2008], several people said they saw a small alligator in Framingham’s Lake Waushakum. Police never found the animal.“Croc on the lam in Natick,” by Norman Miller/Daily News, December 10, 2008.