oddly enough

oddly enough

Alligator removed from Mississippi pool

GULFPORT, Miss.

A woman opened the door to her backyard in coastal Mississippi to find that a 5-foot alligator had taken up residence in her pool.

The Sun Herald reported that resident Pam Jones opened her back door Monday morning to let out her dog when she spotted the alligator in the pool. The animal was swimming around, then climbed out to sun itself.

Jones got the dog inside, shut the door and called the Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks.

“Our pool motor went out, and we’ve been waiting for the new one to come in,” Jones said. “The pool is green because of the motor being out. But it did get all of the frogs living in there.”

Wildlife officials told Jones alligators frequently show up in neighborhoods after heavy rain. Adding to their wanderlust: It’s mating season.

Jones said she was worried about harm coming to her dog or her grandchildren, who often play in the pool.

Master Sgt. Barry Delcambre tried to prod the alligator, which retreated to the bottom of the pool. Delcambre and Pvt. Ryan Deschamp pumped the murky water out of the pool to gain an edge in capturing the alligator. After five hours, they got it.

“I’m just glad it’s gone,” Jones said as she looked at the alligator resting in the back of the wildlife officials’ truck, “He’s kind of cute though, isn’t he?”

Delcambre said his office typically gets more calls about alligators after a heavy rain, but more alligators are showing up on the beach this year than in the past decade.

The area has been drenched with heavy rain in recent days.

Authorities said the alligator will be moved to an undisclosed location.

Fake officer accused of pulling over a real one

ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla.

Police say a man impersonating an officer face charges after signaling a real detective to pull over on a road in Florida.

St. Johns County authorities say 20-year-old Matthew Michael Lee McMahon activated a red and blue light Monday while driving behind an unmarked sheriff’s car. Detective Chance Anderson pulled over and was shocked to see an unknown face behind the wheel of the other car.

First Coast News reports that during his more than 10 years of service, the detective has arrested several police impersonators. But none had ever ordered him to stop his car.

McMahon is charged with impersonating an officer and unlawfully displaying blue lights.

He was released Tuesday after posting $5,500 in bail. It wasn’t clear whether he’s hired an attorney.

Associated Press