ST. AUGUSTINE, FL. — Officials say a Florida man jumped into a crocodile exhibit at the St. Augustine Alligator Farm early Tuesday and was bitten by at least on of the animals.
Staff told local media they were troubled to arrive to work and find blood near the exhibit and signs of a break-in.
Action News Jax reported: Several lamps and signs were broken, and a statue in the middle of the crocodile pond — that you can only get to by swimming — was toppled. Park director John Bruggen said they found a pair of shorts and a rubber “Crocs” shoe floating in the pool and thought it might be a prank.
ANNNNNND THERE’S VIDEO: Florida Man Leaps Into Crocodile Pit https://t.co/ljKujv0Wfxpic.twitter.com/7ScUdnkj6U
— Breaking911 (@Breaking911) November 6, 2018
A responding police officer arrived and told staff, “Oh, I think we’ve already got the perpetrator in custody. We got somebody who told us they were bitten by an alligator.”
The unidentified man denied breaking into the business but was arrested for the dangerous stunt.
#BREAKING: The crocodile exhibit at the St. Augustine alligator farm where a man jumped in, was bitten by a crocodile. @ActionNewsJax @WOKVNews pic.twitter.com/JboHtYoFld
— Ryan Nelson (@RyanANJax) November 6, 2018
The suspect is expected to survive his injuries. Officials say the crocodiles appear to be OK.
