Shell Shocked: Florida Man Busted for Rare Tortoises and Comics
Shell Shocked: Florida Man Busted for Stealing Rare Tortoises and Comics.
I often visit my local comic shops in Cape Coral or Fort Myers to buy my favorite books. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles are always on my buy list. To purchase them of course. Now if you’re Joshua McCarty-Thomas, your not buying Turtles. You steal them. Tortoises actually. But still…
According to WFLA, local police in St. Petersburg, stumbled upon Joshua’s collection of illegal treasures. They unearthed not one, but two stolen Galápagos tortoises. One reptile was found free-roaming in the backyard, relishing its newfound liberty, while the other met an unfortunate end, chilling in the freezer. Now that’s some cold-blooded criminal behavior!
These tortoises, valued at $10,000 each, were pilfered from a zoo in St. Augustine. As if their monetary worth wasn’t enough, these majestic creatures can grow up to a mind-boggling 600 pounds and live for an astonishing 150 years. It seems Joshua had grand plans for his reptilian captives, or perhaps he saw them as retirement companions, living out their long lives by his side.
But wait, there’s more. He also in some trouble for burglaries in St. Petersburg and Ocala. During these audacious acts, he managed to make off with thousands of dollars’ worth of rare books, snatched from a couple different book stores. Joshua wasn’t content with being a regular book reader. No.
A warrant is also out for Joshua’s arrest for another burglary! This time involving thousands of dollars’ worth of comic books. Was he envisioning a life as evil villain and battling crime-fighting reptiles? Only Joshua knows for sure.
Alas, the long arm of the law has finally caught up with our tortoise-toting, comic-obsessed thief. Joshua McCarty-Thomas faces a future devoid of lizards and superheroes, but certainly filled with legal repercussions. Slow and steady may have been his mantra, but in the end, it only led him on a sprint towards a different finish line—a life behind bars.
These 14 Florida Animals Can Kill You
The Box Jellyfish
Did you know? Box jellyfish kill more people each year than sharks. A sting from a box jellyfish can stop your heart. More than 8 different species have caused deaths. And they’re not just here in the tropics. They’ve even, on occasion, made their way up to New Jersey where I’m sure someone guy probably tried to fight it.
I hate these guys - Brown Recluse Spider
I know someone that had multiple brown recluse spider bites on her arm and into her armpit. She didn’t die but it suuuuuuuuuucked. Necrosis, fever, vomiting are all likely symptoms.
The Deadly Black Widow Spider
You normally you won’t die if you get bit by one of these, but are you ready to take that chance? One time I was at a transmitter site and opened a panel to find a black widow nest waiting inside. Momma and all her babies. I don’t help with engineering anymore. Nope.
The Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake
It’s called a rattlesnake for a reason, it’ll rattle it’s tail to let you know you need to move on. If unheeded, this snake has an incredible painful bite. If you don’t get help immediately, you can die. Painfully.
The Big Bad Bull Shark
You knew there’d be a shark on this list. Big and aggressive, they cruise the coast of Florida. They’re generally not looking to bite humans but you know, things happen.
Florida's Most Famous - The Alligator
Class, this is what’s know as an Apex predator. Top of the food chain. More and more often we’re seeing these beasts on the golf course. Don’t wanna get eaten? Stick to Top Golf. I took this picture in the Everglades from an air boat. Was it smart to stop an airboat on shore next to an alligator? Probably not, but this is Florida.
Another snake - The Southern Copperhead
Look at how that thing blends in with the leaves – watch your step. Interesting fact, this snake will generally give you a warning strike with little or no venom. The second bite though… Strangely enough my cat does the same thing.
Soo....... Kissing Bugs?
It sounds friendly enough, except that the “kiss” is actually a bloodsucking bite. Not fun. But that’s not really where the real danger is. These bugs transfer a parasite that transmits Chagas, which may lead to fatal cardiac arrest.
The Great White Shark
Yes, as in “Jaws”. Like old people from New York, they come down here in the winter for the warmer climate. Fortunately they don’t have cars.
Fire Ants
I’ve been bit by fire ants many times, it’s not fun. Fortunately for me after the first couple of bites I’m smart enough to get out of the grass. If you’re allergic, or even if you get enough bites, your body can swell up to the point where you suffocate. The best way to avoid this is to stay inside and play video games. I’ve probably killed millions of these things in my yard over the last decade. But there’s always more.
Ooooooooooooh - Barracuda
Super sharp teeth and don’t normally attack humans. These things can swim up to 35 mph (OMG!) and if something shiny catches their eye, like a necklace on a swimmer, they might accidentally attack.
A Wild Boar
If you live in a rural area down here, you’ve seen these things. They are mean, and will attack. The best part? They’re full of diseases and bacteria – including anthrax. I knew a guy in North Fort Myers that spotted one but didn’t have his gun. So he killed it with a screwdriver. North Fort Myers people are different.
Florida Panther
True story, that picture was taken in Charlotte County. There’s actually no reported deaths in Florida from panther attacks, although they have been know to take down livestock. No human deaths in Florida, don’t want to be the first.
Black Bear
If they do attack, they tend to maul rather than kill. So, maybe scarring and horrible disfigurement? Black bears live in the rural areas and are quite known to sift through trash and if you leave pet food outside – you may get a new pet. These things are why people in Golden Gate have to be careful where they put their trash cans.
