Ted Cruz Conspiracy, Surfing Shark, Grenades: Weird Florida

Patch operates 23 daily news sites in Florida. The following are some of the more unusual headlines from the past week:

Ted Cruz Could Be Zodiac Killer, Voters Say

U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz was wasn’t alive when the infamous Zodiac Killer began a brutal crime spree that terrorized California’s Bay Area, but that isn’t stopping a fairly high percentage of likely Florida voters from thinking it’s possible the two are connected.

Shark Photobombs Florida Surfer

Photobombing has become such a popular pastime it seems it’s not even safe to go into the water anymore. At least that was the case Thursday for a surfer out riding the waves off Palm Beach.

Armed Robber Left When He Couldn’t Find Anyone, Deputies Say

A would-be armed robber in Bradenton left a store empty handed Tuesday morning when he couldn’t find a clerk to rob, Manatee County Sheriff’s deputies say.

Watch: Florida Man Uses Blacktip Shark for Selfie Prop

Just days after a similar stunt involving a dolphin caused outrage in Argentina, a Florida man was captured on video pulling a creature out of the water to pose for a selfie. In the Florida case, however, the sea creature used as a photo prop was a blacktip shark and not a rare dolphin.

Deputies: Hand Grenades, Guns Found Within Reach Of Child

Sarasota County Sheriff’s deputies got more than they bargained for Friday when they stopped by a Jackson Road home in Venice to help a state Department of Children and Families investigator check on the health and welfare of a 5-year-old boy.

Teen’s 1-Night Crime Spree Ends With Crash

A 13-year-old Riverview boy is in hot water after Hillsborough County Sheriff’s deputies say he went on an extensive burglary spree that began Monday night and ended with a vehicle crash and his eventual arrest.

Accused Boat Thief Lands In Hot Water

Criminals caught in the act normally land in hot water, but that wasn’t quite the case Thursday morning in Port Richey.

Photo courtesy of Inform