Police Say FL Man Stole Alligator, Tried to Throw It onto Liquor Store Roof

The suspect said he jumped a fence to an alligator enclosure and stole the gator, according to an arrest report. Officers said when they asked the man what he was doing when he was throwing the alligator in the air, he advised he was "teaching it a lesson."

July 16, 2021

A Florida man is accused of stealing an alligator from a mini-golf business, beating and stomping it, and attempting to throw it onto the roof of a liquor store.

Daytona Beach Shores police officers arrested William Hodge around 3 a.m. on Thursday, Fox 35 reports.

Hodge said he jumped a fence to an alligator enclosure and stole the gator, according to an arrest report. Officers said when they asked Hodge what he was doing when he was throwing the alligator in the air, he advised he was "teaching it a lesson."

Hodge was charged with animal cruelty, possession and injury of an alligator, unarmed burglary of an unoccupied dwelling, petit theft, and criminal mischief.

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