Only in Florida

Strange But True Stories from Across the Sunshine State

An unidentified individual went on an evening shopping spree at a Burlington store in Hialeah on November 25 of last year. The man, clearly pictured on store security cameras, casually walked out with more than $5,000 in purses and handbags, items which he neglected to pay for. He was carrying so many bags, he literally had to chain them together and slowly drag his substantial haul out the front door of the store. Police in Hialeah, about 10 miles outside Miami, were in the process of identifying the man—whose face, tattooed arms and vehicle were recorded by security cameras. As he dragged his stolen property from the Burlington outlet, he passed a sign that read, “See you soon on your next treasure hunt.”

Speaking of crime: Henry Capouch, 30, was arrested in early December for urinating into an ice machine at a St. Petersburg bar. Capouch, a five-year veteran of the Chicago Police Department, was seen by an employee of Jimmy B’s Beach Bar, part of the Beachcomber resort, relieving himself around 12:30 AM. Police were notified and Capouch and his girlfriend were apprehended on the beach nearby, where the Windy City cop was arrested for battery and disorderly conduct, after resisting arrest. According to the police report, Capouch displayed an “indication of alcohol influ- ence.” He posted a $650 bond and was released the following day.

Approximately 10,000 people turned out for the annual Redneck Mud Park Trucks Gone Wild Fall Classics held in late November at the Redneck Mud Park in Punta Gorda. Dozens of trucks and all-terrain vehicles competed in a variety of “mudding” competitions including side-by-side sprints and barrel racing. The event’s date had to be pushed back till later in the year because of Hurricane Nicole. Event organizers proudly claim it was “the biggest mud party that the South has ever seen,” adding that, “As always, we are committed to providing [you] with the absolute best mud experience possible." For those unable to attend, mark the calendar for the Trucks Gone Wild Spring Break in March.

A 53-year-old driver was killed in November after driving his SUV into a Phantom Fireworks store in West Melbourne. The crash, which followed a rear-end collision with another vehicle, sparked an explosive fire, killing the driver and completely destroying the store. “It was wild,” a bystander said in news reports. “I could not believe how close people were to it as the fireworks were still blowing up. So, you’ve got these mortars and all sorts of different types of fireworks that are shooting all over.” Only in Florida, right? u