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You’ve heard the Florida man stories. But few Florida stories are complete without an alligator. It gets even better when it involves pizza. Add those factors together, and you have a police officer delivering a pizza to keep a delivery driver and an elderly customer from crossing the path of a big, hungry gator. 

The eight-foot alligator was hiding under a car when it scared a delivery driver, leaving a police officer to finish the pizza delivery

“Stop! Stop, stop. There’s an alligator underneath that car right there,” the Bradenton Police Officer said to the delivery driver as he pointed to the white Toyota Prius. The driver stopped in her tracks next to her Jeep Cherokee. She had a pizza and a plastic bag with her, destined for the home nearest the hiding gator.  

The officer was there in response to the eight-foot alligator and its residential wanderings. At the time, Officer Tolson was waiting on the response from Florida Fish and Wildlife to come collect and relocate the gator. However, the delivery driver’s promptness put her there before the animal specialists could collect the animal, leaving the alligator between her and her delivery. 

“Maybe go around the back?” the police officer recommended to the young delivery driver. Understandably, she wasn’t too keen on that idea. “I’m a little scared,” she chuckled to the officer on the bodycam footage. “Do you want to do it, officer?” she shyly requested of the Florida cop.

While you might expect the Tolson to say something along the lines of “that’s not my job,” he agreed. However, as the officer approached the home with the pizza, the resident exited. “Get back over there! There’s an alligator right under your car,” the police officer commanded to the homeowner. The elderly woman responded, “Oh my God! Oh my heavens, there’s a big alligator under my car!”

Although she didn’t seem very concerned for long. “Where’s my pizza?” she said clear as day on the officer’s bodycam footage. Eventually, Officer Tolson reached the front door, moving around the Toyota Prius and its hidden alligator. “How much was it?” the woman asked. “I don’t know, I’m not the pizza man,” he responded.

Fortunately, trappers weren’t far behind. They captured the animal and relocated it far away from pizza-seeking Floridians. A delivery driver likely doesn’t make enough to fight a prehistoric beast to drop off a hot meal. I’m just saying. Check out a video of the wild delivery below!

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Staff Writer

Erik Sherman

Erik Sherman joined the MotorBiscuit team as an Autos Writer in 2022. An admitted petrolhead and an avid motorcyclist, Erik has owned everything from classic cars to motorcycles to modern driver’s cars. Erik also has extensive experience with military and emergency vehicles, ranging from ambulances and fire engines to MRAPs and Humvees. Erik is an eager car and motorcycle reviewer with expertise covering everything from sports cars and electric motorcycles to pontoon boats and jet skis.

Erik holds a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Texas at Austin. He also studied Chinese, Energy, and European Politics at the University of Glasgow in Scotland. Erik’s background is unorthodox; he is a United States Marine Corps (USMC) combat veteran, water survival practitioner, and a former firefighter/EMT. Additionally, Erik is a regular volunteer and former instructor with the American Red Cross (ARC). When he’s not working, you can find Erik on his motorcycle or out for a spirited drive.