Kidnapping Thwarted, Not-So-Little Mermaid, Cop Car 'Creamed'

Patch operates 23 daily news sites in Florida. The following are some of the top stories from the past day:

Watch: Mom Thwarts Kidnapper At Dollar General

A determined mother and an off-duty deputy are getting the credit for saving a 13-year-old girl from a would-be abductor Tuesday morning.

Accused Carjacker Shot Himself In Head: Cops

The pursuit of an armed carjacking suspect wanted in two counties ended Tuesday night with a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

911 Call: Alligator Found With Human Body In Mouth

As Lakeland Police continue to investigate the death of a person found in an alligator’s jaws in Lake Hunter on Tuesday, the 911 call reporting the grisly discovery has been released.

Cop Cruiser ‘Creamed’ On Last Day Of School

A Largo school resource officer reporting for work on the last day of the academic year found out firsthand just how rambunctious kids can be waiting for that last bell to ring.

Mermaid Takes On Tropical Storm Colin’s Floodwaters

Residents of St. Petersburg’s Shore Acres neighborhood might have thought they’d stumbled into a remake of “The Little Mermaid” on Monday. After all, those who looked out their windows as floodwaters rose may have noticed a rare sight indeed.

Home Burglar Drives Off In Victim’s Porsche

The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office is asking for help closing the books on a recent residential burglary that turned into a grand theft auto case.

Howl-O-Scream 2016 Tickets On Sale

Just because there’s a long, hot summer standing between now and fall doesn’t mean it’s too early to begin gearing up for Halloween. At least that’s the thinking of the folks at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay.

2 New Bay Area Wawas Open Thursday

Wawa fans in the Sarasota and Bradenton areas will have two new locations to visit starting Thursday morning. The chain has announced grand opening celebrations for both new stores.

Photo of Mermaid Erin courtesy of MerNation