Reptile Whisperer, Force Fails Accused Toy Thief: Weird Florida

Patch operates 23 daily news sites in Florida. The following are some of the more unusual, wacky, wonderful or just plain weird stories from the past few weeks:

Force Not With Accused Star Wars Lego Thief

Jedi mind tricks didn't seem to work for a 35-year-old man accused of stealing more than $300 worth of Lego Star Wars toys from a Wesley Chapel store earlier this week.

Largo Police Officer A Reptile Whisperer?

Largo Police Officer Christopher Asbury is gaining quite a reputation on the force for his uncanny knack for saving critters of the reptilian kind. The police department first became aware of Asbury’s unusual talents last week when it received a call about a rather large alligator creating a stir on 8th Avenue.

Quick-Change Bank Robber Not So Quick: Cops

A 44-year-old man accused in a failed Thursday morning bank robbery struck out a second time while allegedly attempting to disguise his appearance by swiping clothing for a quick change.

Manatee Mating: No Cause For Alarm, Officials Say

Manatees need love, too. That’s the message the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is trying to get out as manatee mating season heats up right along with the state’s outdoor temperatures.

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.

Man Stole Brother’s Identity To Buy Home, Cars: Deputies

A 45-year-old Clearwater man is accused of swiping his brother’s identity in hopes of buying a home, cars and a number of other big-ticket items.

Man Nicknamed ‘Pork Chop’ Buried Boss Alive: Deputies

Whether Johnny Paycheck’s “Take This Job and Shove It” was an earworm running through a Florida man’s head on Wednesday morning remains unclear. What is clear is that the 32-year-old DeBary man faces felony charges after Volusia County deputies say he dumped two loads of dirt on his boss following an argument.

Attempted Murder Charges For Man Who Ran Over Bikers

The 31-year-old Land O’ Lakes man accused in a Memorial Day road rage incident that left a motorcyclist and his passenger injured now faces attempted murder charges.

Photo courtesy of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission