Additional Coverage:
- Cop delivers pizza when delivery driver sees 8-foot gator hiding under customer’s car (abcnews.go.com)
A hungry customer in Bradenton, Florida, got a surprise delivery Sunday night – and it wasn’t just pizza. A quick-thinking police officer stepped in to deliver a pie after the understandably terrified delivery driver discovered an 8-foot alligator lurking beneath a car near the front door.
Police were initially called to the River Isles neighborhood following reports of a large alligator on the loose. However, the pizza delivery driver stumbled upon the reptile first, finding it inconveniently positioned near the customer’s house. Officer Tolson arrived shortly after and, at the driver’s request, bravely took over the delivery duties.
Bodycam footage captured the customer’s surprised exclamation, “Oh my heavens, there’s a big alligator under my car!” After safely delivering the pizza, Officer Tolson even snapped a photo of the gator for the startled resident.
Florida Fish and Wildlife officials eventually arrived and safely trapped and relocated the alligator, ensuring no one – human or reptile – went hungry. The Bradenton Police Department later quipped on social media that the gator was relocated “away from the neighborhood (and Italian restaurants).”