DAYTONA BEACH SHORES, Fla. — A Florida man broke into a miniature golf course, stole an alligator and then was seen trying to hurl it onto a roof before slinging the reptile by the tail onto the ground and stomping on it, investigators said.
William “Bubba” Hodge told Daytona Beach Shores Department of Public Safety that he was “teaching it a lesson,” WFTV reported.
Officers said they saw Hodge, 32, walking along Highway A1A with the gator. They watched him unsuccessfully hurl the reptile onto the roof of a cocktail lounge before he slammed it against the building’s awning. He then placed the gator on the ground and stomped on it twice, investigators said.
When officers approached, Hodge immediately put his hands over his head. He told investigators he stole the alligator from an enclosure inside Congo River Golf, where he wrestled one of the alligators.
Hodge was arrested and charged with animal cruelty, possession and injury of an alligator, unarmed burglary of an occupied dwelling, petty theft and criminal mischief, according to jail records.
When he taken to jail, he intentionally tried to flood his cell by balling up toilet paper and stuffing it down the floor drain and toilet, WFTV reported. He told a responding officer that he would flood the whole place. He was later taken to the Volusia County Jail.
The gator was returned to Congo River Golf.
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