Something’s in the water, because gators are making their way on land and in odd places in the Tampa Bay Area.
- Gator found in parking lot of Pasco furniture store
- RELATED: Advantage, gator: Scaly opponent takes to Sarasota court
The Pasco County Sheriff’s Office reported Wednesday that an alligator was found under a car in the parking lot of an American Freight Furniture and Mattress store.
They said store officials offered to have deputies take the gator through the store, because the path around the building would have been three times as long and on rough terrain.
"To save time and to save [the gator] pain, really," said American Freight employee Peter Soto, "drag him through the store where it's a smoother surface and we can get him home quicker, versus going around the whole plaza."
Deputies said the gator was relocated to a lake behind American Freight.
- CREEPY CRITTERS: Rattlesnake slithers by firefighters working brush fire
The sheriff’s office posted on their Facebook page saying:
“Our deputies would like to express their gratitude towards the citizens who helped keep people back! The citizens involved were a great help. We'd also like to thank American Freight for offering the path through the store, to help make our job safer! The rescue was a team effort!”