📅 Posted On: June 12, 2025
✍️ By: HeadlineToday Team
🐊 Florida Man Tries to Rob Bank With Live Alligator – You Won’t Believe What Happened
In another episode of “Only in Florida,” a bizarre crime made national headlines when a man attempted to rob a local bank using a live alligator as a weapon.
Yes, you read that right. An actual, breathing, teeth-baring alligator.
🚓 The Incident: “Gator Stickup” Gone Wrong
According to the Jacksonville Police Department, 36-year-old Eugene Willis entered a local bank barefoot, wearing nothing but cargo shorts and sunglasses, while carrying a small alligator taped at the mouth.
He loudly declared,
“Nobody move! I’ve got a gator and I’m not afraid to use it!”
Bank tellers initially thought it was a prank — until the gator snapped its tail, sending papers flying.
🐊 The “Weapon” of Choice
Authorities confirmed the gator was roughly 3.5 feet long, appeared agitated, and was squirming constantly in Eugene’s arms. He demanded $5,000 in cash, three bags of Doritos, and a free Uber ride to Daytona Beach.
Witnesses described the scene as:
“A Florida version of a cartoon — insane, but also weirdly impressive.”
💬 Customer Reactions
One customer, 68-year-old Doris Fenley, told reporters:
“I just froze. I thought, ‘This man is robbing us with a lizard?’ Florida needs a reality show.”
Another witness filmed part of the scene on TikTok, racking up over 3 million views in 12 hours, captioned:
“Bro brought a dinosaur to a bank robbery 💀”
👮 How It Ended
Bank security silently triggered the panic alarm. Police arrived within 6 minutes.
Rather than running, Eugene attempted to “weaponize” the gator by pointing it toward officers like a cannon.
The gator, clearly fed up, squirmed out of his grip and bit his own leg before slithering under a nearby desk.
Eugene was quickly tackled and arrested.
📸 Mugshot Goes Viral
His mugshot — with gator bite marks on his thigh — has gone viral. One user commented:
“Florida Man strikes again. Is this even real life anymore?”
🐊 What Happened to the Gator?
The gator, now named “Snappy,” was turned over to Florida Fish and Wildlife.
A rep confirmed:
“He’s healthy, just a little traumatized. We’re relocating him to a sanctuary — far away from bank robbers.”
🧠 Why Did He Do It?
According to the arrest report, Eugene claimed he was “trying to go viral” and thought using a gator would get him internet fame.
His official charges include:
- Armed robbery
- Possession of a wild animal
- Disturbing the peace
- And “being extra Florida” (unofficial, but quoted in the police press release)
📈 Online Reactions
The internet went wild:
- “Only in Florida 🤦♂️”
- “Gator didn’t sign up for this”
- “This better be a Netflix series someday”
😄 Closing Thoughts
This might be one of the most Florida things to ever happen — and that’s saying something.
We’re just glad no one was hurt, including Snappy the gator.
But seriously, who tries to rob a bank with a reptile?
Only in America.
Only in Florida.
Only in 2025.