Welcome to the realm of unbelievable but true news, where Florida Man takes center stage once again. On May 15th, the Sunshine State outdid itself with a series of jaw-dropping arrests that left the world in stitches and disbelief. Join us as we uncover the most outlandish and hilarious incidents that made headlines across the nation.
From a man dressed as a dinosaur trying to break into a church to an individual attempting to steal a police horse, the stories that unfolded on this fateful day were nothing short of entertaining. Prepare to be amazed and amused as we delve into the details of these extraordinary events.
While these incidents may seem like something out of a comedy sketch, they serve as a reminder that truth is often stranger than fiction. Florida, renowned for its unique brand of quirky news, never fails to deliver when it comes to bizarre occurrences.
florida man may 15
Florida's Wildest Day: May 15th Arrests
- Dinosaur church break-in attempt
- Stolen police horse escapade
- Naked man swimming with alligator
- Golf cart DUI arrest
- Meth-fueled stolen lawnmower ride
- Man tries to pay for McDonald's with marijuana
- Woman arrested for throwing live chicken at police
- Man caught trying to steal a 12-foot alligator
Florida's knack for bizarre news never disappoints!
Dinosaur church break-in attempt
In a scene straight out of a comedic movie, a man dressed in a full dinosaur costume attempted to break into a Central Florida church on May 15th. The incident unfolded when a church member spotted a suspicious individual trying to pry open the back door of the building.
- Identity Revealed:
When authorities arrived, they discovered the man inside the church, still clad in his dinosaur costume. He was quickly identified as 31-year-old Michael Shawn Cumbie.
- Confession:
During questioning, Cumbie admitted to the attempted break-in, claiming that he was looking for a place to sleep. He also confessed to consuming a potent concoction of alcohol and prescription drugs prior to the incident.
- Reason for Dinosaur Costume:
When asked why he was wearing a dinosaur costume, Cumbie explained that he had been performing at a children's birthday party earlier in the day. Apparently, he decided to keep the costume on for his late-night adventure.
- Charges:
Cumbie was arrested and charged with burglary of a structure and possession of burglary tools. He was booked into the Polk County Jail, where he remains as of this writing.
This incident serves as a reminder that even the most bizarre and seemingly unbelievable news stories can sometimes be true. Florida, once again, proves to be a land where anything can happen.
Stolen police horse escapade
In a daring escapade that has left the community both amused and bewildered, a man in Florida stole a police horse and embarked on a wild ride through the streets of Ocala on May 15th. The incident began when the suspect, identified as 42-year-old George Thomas, approached a mounted police officer and asked for a closer look at the horse.
The officer, unaware of Thomas's intentions, allowed him to pet the horse. However, in a swift and unexpected move, Thomas jumped onto the horse's back and galloped away, leaving the officer stunned and his colleagues in disbelief.
A high-speed chase ensued, with police cars and helicopters pursuing the horse and its rider. Thomas managed to evade capture for a while, leading the police on a merry chase through residential neighborhoods and even a golf course. Eventually, after a thrilling pursuit, officers were able to corner Thomas and safely apprehend him.
Thomas was arrested and charged with grand theft of a police animal and resisting arrest without violence. The stolen horse, named Riggs, was returned to its rightful owner, the Ocala Police Department, unharmed. The incident has sparked both laughter and debate, with many questioning how Thomas managed to pull off such a daring feat and why he thought it was a good idea in the first place.
Regardless of the reasons behind his actions, Thomas's escapade will undoubtedly go down in history as one of the most bizarre and memorable incidents in Florida's long and illustrious history of strange news.
Naked man swimming with alligator
In a shocking display of audacity and disregard for personal safety, a naked man was spotted swimming with an alligator in a retention pond in Port St. Lucie on May 15th. The bizarre incident unfolded when a passerby noticed the man frolicking in the water with the reptile.
- Identity Revealed:
Authorities later identified the man as 50-year-old Daniel Brandon. Brandon has a history of mental illness and has been known to engage in erratic behavior in the past.
- Witness Account:
According to the witness who reported the incident, Brandon appeared to be completely unafraid of the alligator. He was seen swimming alongside the reptile and even attempting to pet it.
- Police Response:
When police arrived on the scene, they found Brandon still in the water with the alligator. Officers used a catchpole to safely remove the alligator from the pond, while Brandon was taken into custody.
- Charges:
Brandon was charged with disorderly conduct and resisting arrest without violence. He was transported to a local hospital for a mental health evaluation.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of being aware of one's surroundings and taking necessary precautions when encountering wildlife. Swimming with alligators, even if they appear docile, is extremely dangerous and can have fatal consequences.
Golf cart DUI arrest
In a scene straight out of a slapstick comedy, a man in Florida was arrested for driving a golf cart under the influence of alcohol on May 15th. The incident occurred in the city of Largo, where police officers spotted a golf cart swerving erratically down a residential street.
- Identity Revealed:
The driver of the golf cart was identified as 58-year-old John Michael McGrath. McGrath had glassy eyes, slurred speech, and a strong odor of alcohol on his breath when officers approached him.
- Failed Field Sobriety Tests:
McGrath failed several field sobriety tests, including the walk-and-turn test and the one-leg stand test. He was subsequently arrested for driving under the influence (DUI).
- Prior DUI Arrests:
Upon further investigation, officers discovered that McGrath had been arrested for DUI twice before. His previous arrests were in 2006 and 2010.
- Charges:
McGrath was charged with DUI, driving with a suspended license, and possession of an open container of alcohol. He was booked into the Pinellas County Jail, where he remains as of this writing.
This incident serves as a reminder that driving under the influence of alcohol, no matter the vehicle, is illegal and dangerous. Golf carts may seem like harmless recreational vehicles, but they can be just as deadly as cars when operated by intoxicated drivers.
Meth-fueled stolen lawnmower ride
In a bizarre twist to the already wild events of May 15th, a man in Florida was arrested for stealing a lawnmower and leading police on a high-speed chase while allegedly under the influence of methamphetamine.
- Identity Revealed:
The suspect, identified as 32-year-old Joseph Thomas, was spotted by police riding a stolen lawnmower down a busy road in Fort Lauderdale.
- Erratic Behavior:
When officers attempted to pull Thomas over, he refused to stop and instead accelerated, leading police on a wild chase through residential neighborhoods and even a local park.
- Methamphetamine Influence:
During the pursuit, Thomas exhibited erratic behavior, swerving in and out of traffic and running red lights. Officers eventually managed to apprehend him and discovered that he was under the influence of methamphetamine.
- Charges:
Thomas was arrested and charged with grand theft auto, fleeing and eluding police, and driving under the influence of drugs. He was also found to be in possession of drug paraphernalia.
This incident serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of mixing methamphetamines and machinery. It also highlights the lengths to which some individuals will go to satisfy their drug addiction.