You really can’t make this up. A 31-year-old Florida man was arrested after a traffic stop led deputies to guns, drugs, and an alligator in the bed of a pickup truck.
Deputies found more than they bargained for when they conducted a traffic stop on a black GMC Sierra pickup after they recognized the driver from previous law enforcement encounters as having a suspended license.
This happened about 12:30 a.m. on Friday near 12th Street Southeast and Golden Gate Boulevard in Collier County.
A live baby alligator in an open plastic tub was located in the bed of the pickup, along with two firearms inside the truck. One firearm was concealed in the glove box and the other was hidden under the front passenger seat.
Deputies arrested the front-seat passenger Michael Marolla, 31, of 2961 28th Ave. S.E. and charged him with two counts of carrying a concealed firearm.
Marolla also faces charges of possession of a controlled substance – amphetamine and possession of narcotic equipment after deputies found multiple loaded syringes in Marolla’s jacket. The syringes tested positive for methamphetamine.
Deputies notified the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission about the alligator. Wildlife officers responded to investigate.
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