Man Tosses & Slams Alligator After Stealing Reptile From Mini Golf Business

Daytona Beach Shores, FL - A Fort Myers man is held in jail with no bond after abusing an alligator that he stole from a mini golf business. The Daytona Beach Shores Department of Public Safety (DBSDPS) made contact with 32-year-old William Hodge after an officer spotted him attempting to throw a live alligator onto the roof of a business on South Atlantic Avenue just before 3:30 Thursday morning (July 15). The officer also watched as Hodge took the alligator by its tail and hit it against a building awning. Hodge then slammed the alligator onto the ground and stomped on it twice before throwing it over his shoulder and to the ground again. After making contact, Hodge raised his hands and was immediately taken into custody. Once he was read his Miranda rights, Hodge told police that he went to Congo River Golf, jumped the fence and stole the alligator from the alligator enclosure. When asked why he was tossing the alligator, Hodge said he was "teaching it a lesson." A report from DBSDPS says Hodge additionally tried to flood his holding cell by clogging the toilet bowl and drain with toilet paper. When confronted, Hodge said he would flood the whole place. Hodge has since been booked into the Volusia County Branch Jail, where he remains on no bond. Hodge has been charged with animal cruelty, alligator poaching, burglary of an unoccupied dwelling, criminal mischief, and petty theft. Police learned from the owners of Congo River Golf that the stolen alligator is worth $300. It is unknown what kind of condition the alligator is in at this time.