From missing cobras, to parking lot fight clubs, to raccoons riding on gators, the Orlando area saw a bit of everything over the past year. Here are 25 of the weirdest stories from 2015 for the Central Florida history books.
There was an insane Baldwin Park Publix brawl over a misplaced shopping cart
According to OPD, the fight occurred around 5:30 p.m. July 13 at the Baldwin Park Publix, and started because a pregnant woman’s shopping cart was blocking a man from pulling into his spot. Read more.
Pic via YouTubeSome local prankster kept hacking the road sign on Bumby Avenue
The most recent “hack” happened just six days after someone reconfigured the sign to say inappropriate things like, “EAT FARTS” and “HEY NICE DICK.” Read More.
Photo via RedditTwo Kissimmee men were arrested after cocaine they threw out of their sunroof landed on a police car
Kissimmee men were arrested after a bag of cocaine they tossed out of the sunroof of the vehicle they were driving landed on the hood of a police car following them. Read more.
Pic via Christopher Elwell/Shutterstock.comA raccoon posed on an alligator, resulting in Florida’s greatest photo
Palatka, Florida resident Richard Jones told WFTV he took this photo in Ocala National Forrest, Sunday afternoon, June14th, after his son startled a raccoon out of some bushes and it unknowingly ran out onto the back of this lackadaisical gator. Read More.
Photo by Richard Jones via WFTVA gun fell out of a man’s holster and shot a guy at a Sanford Cracker Barrel
Moments after enjoying a satisfying country-style meal, a man was shot in the leg inside of a Sanford Cracker Barrel, which is known for fancy fixin’s, like the Chicken N’ Dumplins Platter and the Farm Raised Catfish Platter. Read More.
Photo via WikipediaA Daytona man actually tried to rob a Subway by putting his hand under his shirt and pretending it was a gun
According to the Daytona Beach New-Journal, Cowart walked into the 213 Mason Ave., Subway location at around 7:30 p.m. and demanded money after putting his hand under his shirt and pointing his fingers, implying he had a real gun. Read More.A shark attacked a UCF student and was immediately punched in the face
University of Central Florida student Josh Green was swimming alone at Cocoa Beach last Thursday, May 7, when a shark grabbed onto his leg and immediately received a rapid succession of swift, accurate and powerful punches to its shark face. Read More.
Photo via WikipediaAn extremely drunk man climbed Epcot’s Mexico Pavilion
According to WKMG, the inevitable climb happened during the Food & Wine Festival and was filmed by Robert Leininger– who, for some reason– stopped filming before the climber reached the top. Read More.
Photo via YouTubeDaytona Beach actually got a gun range that serves booze
According to the The Daytona Beach News-Journal, city officials have approved a measure to allow business owner Ron Perkinson to transform a vacant building near I-95 into a 55,000-square foot booze-serving restaurant and indoor shooting range. Read More.
Photo via WFTVThe infamous Orlando cobra escaped and was later found hiding under a dryer
The missing Orlando cobra has been found – not in the woods and not in one of the multiple traps set by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, but in somebody’s garage. Underneath a dryer. Hissing. Read More.
Photo via Mike Kennedy on FacebookThis Orlando man attempted to free his SUV from a tow truck like some kind of maniac
The video, posted to YouTube by Brady Miller on August 25, shows the SUV and its driver in a full-on tug-of-war match that lasts a little over a minute at a shopping center at the corner of North Dean Road and University Boulevard. Read More.
Photo via YouTubeA Brevard County burglary suspect was eaten by a gator while running from deputies
Brevard County authorities are claiming an 11-foot alligator caught and killed a burglary suspect that was fleeing from deputies. Read More.
Photo via USA TodayA helicopter captured footage of an Orlando ‘fight club’ in a Winn-Dixie parking lot
The video shows a pair of young men punching and grappling with each other as onlookers watch. According to WESH, when units arrived on the scene, the suspects scattered and one man actually tried to bury himself in the nearby woods. Read More.
Photo via LiveleakThese fake signs started popping up around Orlando
Some local pranksters have been placing fake signs around the Orlando area offering everything from cheap heroin, Viagra, to even fart noises. Don’t be fooled. They’re totally fake, bro. Read More.
Photo via WFTVA massive snake tried to escape its owner’s truck on Colonial Drive
Amidst a citywide snake hunt for an 8 foot king cobra, another huge serpent tried to escape its owner– this time in the middle of traffic on Colonial Drive. Read More.
Photo via William Moxey on FacebookA Sanford monkey ate some mail, vandalized a car and ran from cops
Residents of the Hidden Lakes neighborhood called the authorities after observing the macaque perched on a mailbox, chowing on important documents and coupons. Read More.
Photo via SPD FacebookPaul McCartney jammed at a graduation party in Winter Park
The Tampa Bay wedding band Josh Walther & The Phase5 Band, got the chance to perform with legendary Beatle Sir Paul McCartney May 9 at the Interlachen Country Club in Winter Park. Read More.
Photo via phase5band on InstagramA 9-foot anaconda was caught and euthanized in Brevard County
According to the FWC’s Facebook page, a fisherman tipped officials off to “a very large snake” on a riverbank near the St. Johns River. Officials acted quickly, sort of like Ice Cube and J. Lo did in the final scene of Anaconda, and euthanized the non-native constrictor before it could escape. Read More.
Photo via FWC Facebook pageA semi-truck filled with sharks crashed on I-95 near Volusia County
Wednesday afternoon, June 10th, the truck was carrying four sandbar sharks North through heavy storms. According to FHP Sgt. Kim Montes a tire separated from the vehicle outside of Oak Hill, smashing some of the individual shark containers inside the trailer. Read More.
Photo by Frank Cymerman via News 13A man was cited during Florida’s bear hunt for using Honey Buns as bait
According to WMFE, James Louis Ryan was attempting to “bait” bears on a wooded lot near Deland using “two honey buns, a chocolate éclair, a doughnut, a fish filet and a piece of cherry pie.” Read More.
Photo via YouTubeSomeone vandalized the pink bunny statue at Lake Como Park
Lake Como Park’s pink bunny statue was vandalized, reports Jon Busdeker of the Orlando Sentinel. Pieces of the cement statue’s ears were knocked off and found laying on the ground Tuesday morning. Read More.
Photo by Rob BartlettAn Orlando subdivision was overrun with illegal street racers
Arguably the best example of this happened on October 26. According to WFTV, trooper Steve Rando arrested illegal street racer James Mitchell after has was caught doing 140 in a 45 mph zone. Read More.
Photo via WFTVA woman had bleach thrown in her face at a Winter Park Publix
Only a few days after a brawl went down at the Baldwin Park Publix, it would appear a 68-year-old woman was attacked with a cup of bleach during an attempted robbery at the Winter Park Publix (440 N Orlando Ave). Read More.
Photo via FacebookA citizen got out of his car and filmed an insane shootout in Winter Park
Though the video isn’t necessarily that graphic, it’s still a sobering reminder of how terrifying a police shootout actually is. This is real life. Rod Stewart’s “Maggie May” is playing on the radio while people are getting shot at one of the busiest intersections in the Orlando area. Read More.
Photo via LiveleakA Winter Haven man started building a 24-foot lawn toilet, neighbors hated it
Winter Haven residents are a little upset with neighbor Steven Chayt since he started building a 24-foot tall toilet in his backyard. Read More.
Photo via WFTS