Police Capt. Rich Lockhart said that the department got a call from a member of the public saying that a primate was spotted on the loose a few miles away from the Kansas City Zoo.

Capt Lockhart told The Kansas City Star newspaper that the ape was actually a pet that had escaped from its home. The chimp, called Suekko, started her adventure by trying to get into neighbours' vehicles and front doors. She then climbed up a tree.

Initial efforts to shoot the animal with a tranquiliser dart failed and the chimp climbed on to a patrol car and struck the passenger-side window with its fist before running off.

Officers were prepared to shoot Suekko dead if she approached a member of the public, but that extreme measure was not called for and her owner was eventually able to coax her into a cage. Capt Lockhart said that the owner has been cited for having a dangerous animal within city limits. It is illegal to have a chimp — caged or uncaged — within the city limits of Kansas City, city officials said.