Woman Assaulted During Monkey Snatching In Grand Junction

GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (CBS4) - Police in Grand Junction are investigating after a monkey was stolen from a woman who was trying to sell the animal.

According to police, just before 6 a.m. Monday a woman from Missouri met a man in the parking lot of the La Quinta Inn on Crossroads Boulevard.

"The two had previously agreed to meet so that she could sell the monkey to him. While outside the hotel the man sprayed the woman in the face with pepper spray, grabbed the pet carrier containing the monkey, and took off on foot," police said in a statement.

It's not clear if the suspect was able to get into a vehicle or which direction he headed.

The woman suffered injuries that were described as not being life-threatening.

The suspect was described by the woman as being a Middle Eastern man, 35 to 40 years old, 5-foot-5 with a thin build and a short beard. He was wearing glasses, a blue shirt and possibly a vest.

The monkey is a black cap Capuchin monkey. According to police, black cap Capuchin monkeys aren't legal to possess in the state of Colorado.

Additional Information From Grand Junction Police

If anyone saw anything suspicious in this area this morning, or has more information about this incident, please call 970-242-6707 or Crime Stoppers at 970-241-STOP.