YPSILANTI TOWNSHIP, Mich. -- The Department of Natural Resources is in Ypsilanti Township hoping to catch what residents said is an alligator.

Marva Davis said around 3 a.m. she saw something strange. "I saw two glowing lights underwater swimming around." Davis told her son and he told her she was seeing things. "He said mom don't you dare say you saw lights glowing around the water," Davis said.

He didn't believe her until he and others around Lake Lenore spotted an alligator around 5-feet long.

Authorities said they are taking the claims seriously. "There is probably a bunch of places these things can hide," said Washtenaw County Sheriff Dan Minzey.

Minzey said exotic pets get dumped in local lakes often.

Residents on the lake decided to conduct their own search.

"We got a call last night from neighbors that said there is a 5-foot alligator on the lake. So, we decided round up some friends, get some spotlights and see if we can anything. Did you see anything? Yeah," Greg Mucha told Local 4.

If you see the alligator, without getting too close, send us a Hot Shot at Local4@ClickOnDetroit.com