Deputy Apprehends Four Alligators in Four Weeks

An eight-foot alligator spotted walking across the Publix parking lot  was subdued by a Sarasota County Sheriff's deputy Sunday, after it crossed four lanes of traffic.

The Venice Gondolier reports that Deputy Blake Luce, who handles alligator calls, was summoned to the Jacaranda roundabout on Sunday, May 5.

Deputy Luce used a pipe with a noose-type of rope at the end, similar to a dog catcher's pole, to catch the 'gator and move it off the road to a curb, where its jaws were taped shut. The capture took less than five minutes.

The 'gator was turned over to state wildlife officials, who relocated the reptile, according to the Venice Gondolier.

It was the fourth alligator that had wandered into public areas in Sarasota County Luce was called in to capture in the past four weeks.

Luce told the Venice Gondolier:

“Lately it’s been one a week. It’ll be like that for the next month or two during mating season. That’s when you see them in pools and unusual places like that.”

Luce removed a 10-foot alligator two weeks ago that had lodged itself in the Myakka River Bridge, after its head became stuck between the railing and the cement span.

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