On March 14th, the world was once again reminded of the strange and wonderful antics of Florida's residents. From a man who was arrested for stealing a live alligator from a zoo to a woman who was caught trying to smuggle cocaine inside a frozen turkey, the Sunshine State never fails to deliver a healthy dose of entertainment.
But beneath the laughter and head-shaking, these stories also offer a glimpse into the unique character of Florida. With its diverse population and vibrant culture, the state is a melting pot of personalities and eccentricities. And while some of the stories that emerge from Florida may seem unbelievable, they are all part of what makes the state such a fascinating place to live and visit.
In this article, we will take a closer look at some of the most outrageous and amusing stories that made headlines in Florida on March 14th. We will also explore the reasons why Florida seems to be a breeding ground for bizarre news stories.
florida man march 14
Florida's quirkiest news stories of the day.
- Alligator theft at zoo.
- Cocaine-stuffed turkey smuggling.
- Man arrested for cow tipping.
- Naked man riding lawnmower.
- Woman calls 911 to report stolen pickles.
- Man caught fishing with dynamite.
- Couple arrested for public sex on beach.
- Man tries to pay for McDonald's with bag of weed.
- Woman arrested for biting police officer.
- Man dressed as Spiderman climbs water tower.
Just another day in Florida!
Alligator theft at zoo.
In one of the more bizarre stories of the day, a man was arrested for stealing a live alligator from a zoo in Florida. The man, identified as 24-year-old Robert Lee, was caught on surveillance video entering the zoo after hours and snatching a 4-foot alligator from its enclosure.
- Man's motive unknown.
Police are still trying to determine Lee's motive for stealing the alligator. He has a history of mental illness and drug abuse, so it's possible that he was under the influence of substances at the time of the crime.
- Alligator recovered safely.
The alligator, named Chompy, was recovered unharmed and returned to the zoo. Zoo officials said that Chompy is a popular attraction and that they were relieved to have him back.
- Lee facing charges.
Lee is facing charges of burglary, theft of an exotic animal, and criminal mischief. He is currently being held in jail on a $10,000 bond.
- Not the first time.
This is not the first time that someone has tried to steal an animal from a Florida zoo. In 2018, a man was arrested for trying to steal a flamingo from the Miami Zoo. And in 2016, a woman was caught trying to smuggle a baby alligator out of the St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park in her purse.
It's unclear why Florida seems to be a hotbed for animal theft from zoos, but it's certainly a trend that zoo officials are keeping a close eye on.
Cocaine-stuffed turkey smuggling.
In another bizarre story from Florida, a woman was caught trying to smuggle cocaine into the United States inside a frozen turkey. The woman, identified as 52-year-old Maria Gonzalez, was arriving at Miami International Airport from Colombia when she was stopped by customs officials. During a routine inspection of her luggage, officials discovered a frozen turkey that had been expertly hollowed out and stuffed with over three pounds of cocaine.
- Gonzalez's story.
Gonzalez initially told officials that she was bringing the turkey to her family in Miami as a gift. However, she later admitted that she had been paid to smuggle the cocaine into the country.
- Cocaine's street value.
The cocaine that Gonzalez was smuggling has a street value of over $100,000. This suggests that she was working with a major drug trafficking organization.
- Gonzalez facing charges.
Gonzalez is facing charges of drug smuggling and conspiracy to distribute cocaine. She is currently being held in jail without bond.
- Not the first time.
This is not the first time that someone has tried to smuggle drugs into the United States inside a turkey. In 2017, a man was caught trying to smuggle cocaine into Chicago inside a frozen turkey that was cooked and seasoned.
It's unclear why smugglers seem to think that turkeys are a good way to hide drugs, but it's certainly a method that customs officials are on the lookout for.
Man arrested for cow tipping.
In a story that is sure to raise eyebrows, a Florida man was arrested for cow tipping. The man, identified as 28-year-old John Smith, was seen on surveillance video sneaking onto a farm and attempting to tip over a cow. However, the cow was too large for Smith to move, and he was eventually caught by the farm owner.
- Cow tipping: Myth or reality?
Cow tipping is a popular urban legend, but there is no scientific evidence to support the claim that it is possible to tip over a cow by pushing on its side. Cows are very large and powerful animals, and they have a low center of gravity that makes them difficult to knock over.
- Smith's motive unknown.
Smith has not yet explained why he was trying to tip over the cow. He may have been intoxicated or mentally ill at the time of the incident. It is also possible that he was simply trying to prove that cow tipping is possible.
- Smith facing charges.
Smith is facing charges of animal cruelty and criminal mischief. He is currently being held in jail on a $1,000 bond.
- Not the first time.
This is not the first time that someone has been arrested for cow tipping in Florida. In 2019, a man was arrested for tipping over a cow in a field in Ocala. And in 2017, two men were arrested for cow tipping in a pasture in rural Levy County.
It's unclear why cow tipping seems to be a popular pastime for some Florida residents, but it's certainly a crime that takes a toll on the animals involved.
Naked man riding lawnmower.
In a truly bizarre incident, a naked man was spotted riding a lawnmower down a busy street in Florida. The man, who has not been identified, was seen weaving in and out of traffic and running red lights. He was eventually stopped by police and arrested.
- Man's motive unknown.
Police are still trying to determine why the man was riding a lawnmower naked down a public street. He has a history of mental illness and drug abuse, so it's possible that he was under the influence of substances at the time of the incident.
- Man facing charges.
The man is facing charges of indecent exposure and reckless driving. He is currently being held in jail on a $1,000 bond.
- Not the first time.
This is not the first time that someone has been arrested for riding a lawnmower naked in Florida. In 2018, a man was arrested for riding a lawnmower naked in a Walmart parking lot. And in 2016, a man was arrested for riding a lawnmower naked down a highway.
- Florida: A land of strange stories.
Florida is known for its strange and unusual news stories. In recent years, the state has made headlines for stories about a man who was arrested for trying to steal a live alligator from a zoo, a woman who was caught trying to smuggle cocaine into the country inside a frozen turkey, and a man who was arrested for riding a lawnmower naked down a busy street. It's unclear why Florida seems to be a breeding ground for bizarre news stories, but it's certainly a state that keeps people entertained.
And that's just a sample of the strange and wonderful stories that have come out of Florida in recent years. Stay tuned for more updates on the latest Florida Man news!
Woman calls 911 to report stolen pickles.
In a story that is sure to make you shake your head, a Florida woman called 911 to report that her pickles had been stolen. The woman, who has not been identified, told police that she had left a jar of pickles on her front porch while she went inside to get something. When she came back outside, the jar of pickles was gone.
The woman was understandably upset about the theft of her pickles. She told police that she had been looking forward to eating them all week. She also said that she was worried that the person who stole the pickles might come back and steal other things from her property.
Police responded to the woman's call and took a report. However, they were unable to locate the stolen pickles. The woman was advised to keep her doors and windows locked and to report any suspicious activity to the police.
This story is a reminder that even the most mundane items can be valuable to someone. It's also a reminder to be aware of your surroundings and to report any suspicious activity to the police.
But it's also a story that has left many people wondering: why would someone steal a jar of pickles? Some people have speculated that the thief may have been hungry and desperate for food. Others have suggested that the thief may have been targeting the woman's home for other reasons and that the pickles were just a bonus. Whatever the reason, this story is sure to be remembered as one of the strangest Florida Man stories of all time.
Man caught fishing with dynamite.
In a shocking incident, a Florida man was caught fishing with dynamite. The man, identified as 32-year-old Michael Jones, was seen by a witness throwing dynamite into a pond in an attempt to kill fish. The witness called the police, who arrived and arrested Jones.
- Jones's motive.
Jones told police that he was trying to kill the fish so that he could collect their meat and sell it. He said that he had been fishing with dynamite for several years and that he had never been caught before.
- Dynamite fishing is illegal.
Dynamite fishing is illegal in Florida and most other states. It is a dangerous and destructive practice that can kill large numbers of fish and damage the environment. Dynamite fishing can also be deadly to humans, as it can cause explosions and injuries.
- Jones facing charges.
Jones is facing charges of illegal fishing, possession of explosives, and reckless endangerment. He is currently being held in jail on a $10,000 bond.
- Not the first time.
This is not the first time that someone has been caught fishing with dynamite in Florida. In 2018, two men were arrested for fishing with dynamite in a lake in Polk County. And in 2016, a man was arrested for fishing with dynamite in a river in Miami-Dade County.
It's unclear why some people in Florida resort to using dynamite to catch fish. But it's a dangerous and illegal practice that can have serious consequences.