ORLANDO, Fla. — Although it’s been a difficult year due to the pandemic, there is one thing that didn’t disappoint: “Florida man” stories.
Between a man rescuing his dog from an alligator’s jaws and a naked man telling deputies he’s “Batman,” here are some of the top “Florida man” stories from 2020:
1. Florida man rescues pet dog from alligator’s jaws
A Florida man is seen on video pulling an alligator’s jaws apart to rescue his beloved pet dog from the reptile’s vise-like grip.
Richard Wilbanks did not think twice before jumping into the pond to save Gunner.
Video shows Wilbanks in knee deep water wrestling with the wild animal. Gunner is eventually freed and runs off. Wilbanks then releases the alligator. A cigar appears to cling to Wilbank’s mouth throughout the entire ordeal.
“He had one little puncture wound, and … my hands were just chewed up,” Wilbanks said. “Fortunately, I was in a position that I was able to save Gunner’s life.”
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2. Florida man got $1.9M in PPP money, used it to buy new Mercedes, prosecutors say
A Florida man who received more than $1.9 million in coronavirus relief funds is accused of laundering the money through a fake business, and also buying a Mercedes and a pickup truck, prosecutors said.
Keith William Nicoletta, 48, of Dade City, was arrested, according to a news release from the U.S. Department of Justice. Nicoletta was charged with bank fraud and illegal monetary transactions.
3. Florida man stole $600 worth of cat blood from clinic, officials say
In September, investigators searched for a Florida man who stole $600 worth of cat blood from a veterinary clinic.
A man wearing a backpack was seen on surveillance video walking up to the Anastasia Cat Clinic Sept. 17 and inspecting an Antech Diagnostics blood box before walking off, the St. John’s County Sheriff’s Office said.
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4. Man leads law enforcement on jet ski chase
A chase in south Florida looked like something out of “Miami Vice” or an action movie.
A man led police, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officers and U.S. Marshals on a chase. But this wasn’t an ordinary chase. It was on the water and on a personal watercraft, WTVJ reported.
The man, who was identified as Eric Tukes, had been wanted by the marshals, WTVJ reported.
5. Florida man tries to buy Porsche, Rolex watches with checks printed from home computer, police say
A Florida man tried to buy a Porsche and Rolex watches with checks he printed from his home computer, investigators said.
Authorities said Casey William Kelley, 42, walked into a Okaloosa County car dealership and left in a Porsche 911 Turbo after writing a $139,203.05 check that was printed from his home computer, WALA reported.
6. Naked Florida man tells deputies he’s ‘Batman’
A southwest Florida man is accused of wandering around a hotel naked and identifying himself as Batman, authorities said.
Christopher L. Jackson, 49, of Englewood, was arrested and charged with loitering and exposure of sexual organs, according to the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office.
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7. Florida man dives into Bass Pro Shop fish tank
A Florida man jumped into a fish tank at a Bass Pro Shop on Mother’s Day, a video posted to social media shows.
The video shows a man walk up the stairs, dive into the tank at the store at the Gulf Coast Town Center and then run off, WBBH reported.
8. Amazon Alexa helps catch man stealing credit cards, cash from assisted living resident, police say
Police said an Amazon Alexa helped catch a man accused of stealing from at least three different elderly residents of Ormond Beach assisted living facilities.
Police said the device detected a man’s presence inside a room at Brookdale Assisted Living Facility on Dec. 22 and alerted the resident’s family. The man’s grandson responded to the facility, and police said the man, identified as Russell Bannister, was still inside the room.
Officers said Bannister entered the room without permission and stole the resident’s cash and credit cards. During the investigation, officers said they identified two additional assisted living residents in Ormond Beach who were victimized by Bannister.
9. Florida man accused in cocaine bust was ‘only selling due to COVID’
A Florida man accused of selling cocaine to police detectives at least three times told police he was “only selling due to COVID” in order to make money, authorities said.
Daryl Antonio James Allen, 28, of Port St. Lucie, was arrested and faces 12 charges, most of which include selling or possessing cocaine, according to St. Lucie County online jail records.
According to the arrest affidavit, Allen said he was selling the drugs “due to COVID, and to get some money.”
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