Florida Man is an internet meme which started back in 2013. “Florida Man” is taken from multiple unrelated news articles describing various actual people who hail from or live in Florida. Internet users typically submit links to news stories and articles about unusual or strange crimes or events occurring in Florida, particularly those where “Florida Man” is mentioned in the headline and has been wreaking havoc.
The meme calls attention to Florida’s supposed notoriety for strange and unusual events. Miami New Times noted that freedom of information laws in Florida make it easier for journalists to obtain information about arrests from the police than in other states and that this is responsible for the large number of news articles.
Here are some of the stories we discuss this episode:
Florida Man Sprays Neighbors with Bug Spray, Hits Himself in the Head with Nunchucks
“Larry Adams, 61, was arrested after the bizarre confrontation, which residents said was sparked by loud music coming from a car outside a Daytona Beach apartment complex late Monday night, FOX35 Orlando reported. One neighbor told the station Adams initially tried to frighten the group, but the bid backfired – literally – when he struck the car frame with the nunchucks and the martial arts weapon unexpectedly bounced off the vehicle’s body and smashed into his face.
“That was funny, I was like, this man really just hit himself with the nunchucks,” Cici Sylvester told FOX35.
Police found Adams with a small cut on his forehead, apparently from a misfired nunchuck strike, according to reports. (Volusia County Corrections)
Adams allegedly also threatened to shoot the group, and doused them with roach spray, according to the station. Officers responded to the scene after Adams and his neighbors called police on each other.
When cops arrived, they noted Adams had a cut on his forehead, and a subsequent check of his home revealed a nunchuck, an empty can of roach spray and a box containing a loaded semiautomatic handgun magazine.”
Florida Man Breaks into Home, Cooks Breakfast, Tells Owner to “Go Back to Sleep”
“SAFETY HARBOR, Fla. – A Dunedin man was arrested after cooking and eating food inside a stranger’s home, deputies said.
Pinellas County investigators said 19-year-old Gavin Crim, a Marine, broke into a Safety Harbor home in the 2400 block of Huntington Boulevard. The burglary occurred just after 4 a.m. Tuesday, while the victim was home.
Deputies said Crim entered the home through an unlocked rear door, and began cooking, then eating, the victim’s food. The victim confronted Crim, who told the victim to, “go back to sleep,” officials said.
When the victim told Crim he was calling 911, Crim ran away from the home, deputies said.
Deputies said they found Crim behind the home, hiding in a wooded and swampy area. During an interview, they said he admitted to breaking into the home. His arrest report states he was under the influence of alcohol.
Crim was arrested on a burglary charge”
350-Pound Florida Man Attempts to Steal 2 TV’s from WalMart, Trips after Pants Fall Down
“According to court complaints, Columbus Henderson fled from a Walmart Supercenter in Fort Lauderdale on September 26 with a pair of 40-inch Hisense televisions. Henderson, seen at right, bolted with the merchandise after he allowed a cashier to scan the $298 items.
As he scooted through the parking lot, the 45-year-old Henderson’s pants “fell off as he ran away,” according to Officer Scott Brandow. It appears that after Henderson’s pants fell to his ankles, he proceeded to run right out of the garment.
Police later determined that Henderson’s abandoned pants contained the suspect’s “medical identification.” Investigators added, “The entire incident was captured on video.”
It took cops about a week to catch up with Henderson, who was nabbed early Tuesday morning for grand theft, a felony.”
Florida Man Tries to Shoot Puppy, Puppy Shoots Him Instead
“Jerry Allen Bradford, 37, was being treated at a hospital for a gunshot wound to his wrist.
Bradford said he decided to shoot the 3-month-old shepherd-mix dogs in the head because he couldn’t find them a home, according to the sheriff’s office.
On Monday, Bradford was holding two puppies — one in his arms and another in his left hand — when the dog in his hand wiggled and put its paw on the trigger of the .38-caliber revolver. The gun then discharged, the sheriff’s report said”
Florida Man Impersonates FBI Agent, Harasses Homeowner, Leaves Live Catfishes on Driveway, Flees on Bicycle
“A Florida Man was arrested after impersonating an FBI agent, questioning a homeowner, and leaving multiple live catfish on her lawn before escaping on a bicycle.
42-year-old Kristian Dudley faces charges of an open container in a public area and impersonating a law enforcement officer.
The victim says the Florida Man drove a bicycle with flashing red and blue lights onto her front yard. He then introduced himself as an FBI agent, then ordered the woman to present him with identification to prove she lived there legally.
When the victim told him to leave her property, he refused. The victim then told her husband to call authorities. The Florida Man then took off on his bicycle, but before leaving, he dropped multiple live catfish in the driveway for an “unknown reason”.
Police stopped Dudley as he escaped because he matched the description of the culprit. According to deputies, he appeared extremely intoxicated and was wearing an FBI hat and dark shirt.”
Sources
Wikipedia – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Florida_Man
Fox News – https://www.foxnews.com/us/florida-man-nunchucks-hits-self
Fox 13 – https://www.fox13news.com/news/victim-finds-stranger-cooking-eating-inside-safety-harbor-home-deputies-say
The Smoking Gun – http://www.thesmokinggun.com/documents/florida/we-have-reached-peak-florida-532897
NBC News – www.nbcnews.com/id/5950304/ns/health-pet_health/t/puppy-shoots-florida-man-deputies-say/#.XaoPRXdFyM-www.floridaman.com
Have you tried the Florida Man Challenge? Type “Florida Man” followed by your birthday into Google and hit search. Tell us in the comments what your headline is – or swing by Twitter or Instagram to share!