Craigslist Trap, Anti-Muslim Tirade, Bus-Riding Robber

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

Gator Dies After Crash With Motorcycle

A Friday morning crash involving a 27-year-old Wimauma man on a motorcycle and an alligator initially left both injured. The man was airlifted to a local hospital with serious injuries, while the Florida Highway Patrol reported the gator was in critical condition. That status changed, however, Friday afternoon.

Man From School Rant Case Faces Child Porn Charges

A 31-year-old Sarasota man arrested on Monday after deputies say he strolled onto the Riverview High campus to rant about corruption in school government now faces three felony counts of possession of child pornography. Aaron Talley’s latest arrest was announced late Thursday afternoon.

Man ‘Hogtied,’ Beaten With Dog Chain: Cops

A 29-year-old man described as a transient faces criminal charges after Sarasota Police say he hogtied another man with a dog chain, beat him and threatened him with knifes to find out where his “homeboy” might be.

Craigslist Trap Snares Accused Thieves

Two South Florida men face grand theft charges after Sarasota County deputies say a victim laid a trap on Craigslist to catch them red handed with the stolen goods. The items in question belong to Apex Tree and Landscape in Sarasota and happen to have a value of about $53,000, authorities said.

Illegal Puppy Sales Land 2 In Jail

A Tampa pet shop owner and employee are in hot water after the Florida Department of Agriculture’s law enforcement unit alleges they sold puppies without proper health permits.

Man Accused In Anti-Muslim Tirade Has Tampa Bay Ties

A man accused of going off on a drunken tirade directed at a Muslim family enjoying a day at a Texas beach once called Plant City home. Alexander Jennes Downing, 35, listed the town as his home address during a July 2016 arrest on domestic battery and abuse of an elderly or disabled adult charges.

Bank Robber Took The Bus: Cops

A man accused of holding up a St. Petersburg SunTrust bank on Thursday found out the hard way a bus might not make for the fastest getaway.

‘Iowa Hit List’ Lands Florida Man In Jail

An email threatening the life of Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad and other high-profile state officials landed a 59-year-old Port Richey, Florida, man in hot water Monday. The email was allegedly sent to the governor’s office and also posted to a Facebook page operated by the Iowa Family Preservation Project. The threats reportedly came on the heels of the state of Iowa’s decision to strip the accused man’s daughter of parental rights over her children.