Kansas City police helped corral a large chimpanzee named Sueko that escaped from its owner today in the 7700 block of Indiana Avenue.

Sueko got loose from her chains about noon and began trying to get into neighbor’s vehicles and front doors, police said. She wandered through the neighborhood and smashed the windshield of a passing police car that had responded to the scene. Officers had their AR-15 rifles ready and said they were prepared to “put the animal down” if she approached anybody. Sueko never did.

Animal control officers shot her with a tranquilizer, but owner Mark Archigo said they would need more than one shot to bring her down, police said.

After Suekko climbed into a tree, animal control officers fired another shot but missed.

Sueko then crawled down and got into her cage in the back of her owner’s truck.

It is illegal to have a chimp — caged or uncaged — within the city limits of Kansas City, city officials said.

Officials cited Archigo today for having a dangerous animal within city limits, said Mike Schumacher, who oversees Kansas City’s Animal Health and Public Safety division.

Archigo also has been cited in the past for having the chimp in the city.

Patrick Egberuare, manager of the animal health division, said that for the time being, the chimp has been transported to a licensed, safe sanctuary for exotic animals in Greenwood while city officials try to figure out a permanent solution.