Beach Joyride, Stolen Cocaine, Shark Video: Weird Florida

Patch operates 24 daily news sites in the Tampa Bay area and surrounding counties. The following are some of the more unusual, wacky, wonderful or just plain weird stories that have had people talking over the past few weeks:

Wife Set Sleeping Husband’s Bed Ablaze: Deputies

A 48-year-old New Port Richey woman was arrested early Friday morning after Pasco County deputies say she lit her estranged husband’s bed on fire. The 58-year-old man was sleeping in it at the time, an arrest report said.

Shark Video Apology: Man Says He’s A ‘Conservationist’

A Florida man has apologized for a video showing what appeared to be a 6-foot black tipped shark being dragged to its death by a power boat, according to a social media post from a fellow fisherman. The apology was sent via text after the video was viewed thousands of times earlier this week and touched off public outrage. The man said he was a "conservationist" in his apology.

What Florida Singles Hate The Most: Deal Breaker Map

Florida singles on the hunt for romantic partners may find that working out is a turn on, but doing it together is not. While that might seem surprising in a state known for its near year-round beach weather – and the skimpy clothing that goes along with it – “workout couples” are the biggest turnoff for singles in the Sunshine State, according to an analysis from the creators of a dating app called HaterDater.

Charges Mounting For Florida Beach Joyrider (Video)

The 27-year-old Pinellas Park man arrested Thursday afternoon after allegedly driving a black Jeep Cherokee across Clearwater Beach and onto Caladesi Island faces a growing list of criminal charges for the stunt that was live streamed on Facebook. Clearwater Police announced a lengthy list of charges late Thursday night and said other law enforcement agencies involved may add more for the “jaunt onto Caladesi Island.”

Florida Drug Dealer Reported Stolen Cocaine: Cops

A Florida man’s Sunday plea for help from deputies in Okaloosa County didn’t fall on deaf ears exactly, but its outcome probably wasn't quite what he expected. That’s because officials say the Fort Walton Beach man described himself as a “drug dealer” and was asking for help in recovering cocaine that had been stolen from him.

Watch: Gators Infest Florida Lake

As the temperatures across Florida soar well into the 90s, humans aren’t the only ones trying to escape the heat. Alligators are also taking cover, at least in the Lake Apopka area where an Orlando man recently captured dozens of the creatures on video, swimming in the early morning hours.