Tortoise returned to owners after 2 1/2 weeks on the lam

HIGHLAND, Ind. Tank is an 8-year-old African spur thigh tortoise. He was returned home yesterday to owners Mark and Kim Hirchak after they called Munster police to report him missing.

The couple had earlier called Highland and Hammond police, but Munster police knew all about their missing reptile, which had turned up a gas station not long after his escape.

During his absence, Tank had been shuttled between various homeowners, including a couple whose backyard strawberry patch and flowers became his dinner.

Fourteen-year-old Kylie Hirchak says Tank is like a member of the family.

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