WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Alligators have been used as shoes, briefcases, university mascots, lunch and now, authorities say, a deadly weapon.
Florida wildlife officials say in a report that 24-year-old Joshua James threw a 3.5-foot alligator through a fast-food restaurant’s drive-thru window in October. He’s charged with assault with a deadly weapon. Bail was set Tuesday at $6,000.
Officials say the incident occurred at a Palm Beach County Wendy’s. They say that after an employee handed James his drink, he threw the alligator through the window and drove off. No one was hurt. James was arrested Monday.
James also is charged with illegally possessing an alligator and petty theft.
His mother, Linda James, told WPTV that her son cooperated with officials and his actions were a “stupid prank.”
The alligator was released into the wild.