Florida, known for its stunning beaches, also has a history of strange and unusual crimes. These bizarre incidents add an intriguing layer to the state’s story. Here are ten of the strangest crimes that have taken place in Florida.
- The Great Chicken Nugget Heist
In 2013, a man broke into a fast-food restaurant in Lake City, not for money but for chicken nuggets. The perpetrator, captured on security cameras, indulged in the nuggets before police arrested him. His unusual craving turned this into one of the city’s quirkiest thefts.
https://www.firstcoastnews.com/article/news/local/officers-lake-city-man-breaks-into-fast-food-restaurant-gets-caught-eating-chicken/77-1561614b-009b-4025-93f9-9eb8af835b41
- The Frozen Iguana Fiasco
During an unexpected cold spell in 2018 in Key Biscayne, iguanas began falling from trees as they froze. A man saw an opportunity and loaded several frozen iguanas into his car. As they thawed, the iguanas woke up and caused chaos inside the vehicle, leading to a crash. Authorities found the man unharmed, though the iguanas quickly escaped.
https://shoeuntied.wordpress.com/2024/01/18/man-ignores-advice-loads-up-car-with-frozen-iguanas-they-wake-up-and-all-hell-breaks-loose .
- The Lawn Ornament Bandit
In 2015, Naples’ neighborhoods experienced a peculiar crime spree involving stolen garden gnomes and other lawn ornaments. The thief, known as the “Lawn Ornament Bandit,” struck at night, taking only the most unique decorations. Police eventually caught the bandit, who admitted to taking the ornaments as part of a dare.
www.orlandosentinel.com/2003/10/02/got-lawn-art-bolt-it-down .
- Publishers Clearing House Scam
Officials say an 82-year-old victim had contacted police after being scammed out of $20,000. The victim received phone calls from a woman who claimed to be with Publishers Clearing House. The woman allegedly convinced the victim that he and his wife had won millions of dollars in prices but that he had to prepay part of the taxes to the IRS. An Orlando man was arrested when he showed up to collect the money.
www.wkrg.com/northwest-florida/florida-man-arrested-in-connection-with-publishers-clearing-house-scam-wcso .
- Parrot Pincher
In 2016, a Miami man was arrested after he tried smuggling live birds in his pants. U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents said he concealed six exotic birds in a fanny pack and three more in his groin area.
https://abc7chicago.com/live-birds-exotic-bird-smuggle-cuba/1175669 .
- Hot Pot Plot
A Fort Pierce man threw hot ramen noodles at a woman and then struck her on the back with the hot pot.
www.aol.com/news/florida-man-charged-battery-throwing-193454287.html .
- The Fake Doctor
In 2021, A West Palm Beach teenager was convicted of posing as a fake doctor and was known as “Dr. Love”.
www.wptv.com/news/palm-beach-county/fake-teen-doctor-sentenced-in-separate-fraud-in-palm-beach-county .
- Drunk Alligator
In August 2019, two Palm City men were arrested by police after they were found giving beer to an alligator they captured. A video showed them forcefully pouring beer into the alligator’s mouth.
www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/florida-man-drunk-alligator-arrest-a9149651.html
- Dragons vs. Aliens
In 2022, a man drove a stolen truck to Space Force base to warn of a battle between aliens and dragons. He told the authorities that U.S. aliens were fighting with Chinese dragons.
www.military.com/daily-news/2022/07/25/florida-man-accused-of-driving-space-force-base-stolen-truck-warn-of-aliens.html
- Twin Imposter
In 2022, a Jacksonville man was busted for stealing his twin brother’s identity. He used his estranged brother’s name, Social Security card, and military discharge papers to apply for federally subsidized housing benefits.
www.firstcoastnews.com/article/news/crime/jacksonville-man-who-stole-twin-brothers-identity-to-get-veterans-benefits-gets-two-years-in-prison/77-45bfc8a0-6257-4bc1-b274-5d0cbf4d4286
Florida has seen its fair share of strange and unusual crimes. From chicken nugget heists to iguana-induced car crashes, these bizarre incidents add a unique flavor to the state’s history. Whether quirky thefts, peculiar scams, or outright bizarre behaviors, Florida’s criminal history continues to fascinate and entertain.
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