Alligator attacks suspect who tried escaping through its swamp

A man accused of running from law enforcement by cutting through a swamp on Sunday was soon greeted by something potentially scarier than jail time: an alligator. Even more worrying for him, the giant lizard was not too keen on him getting away either.

Big picture view:

The 40-year-old man, who was wanted by Louisiana State Police, entered the swamp after St. Charles Parish Sheriff’s Office deputies saw him walking along a highway, the Sheriff’s Office explained in a post. Once in there, he was greeted by an alligator that attacked him and injured both of the man’s arms.

The suspect managed to escape the alligator on the ground, but he could not get away from the drone in the sky, the Sheriff’s Office continued. A drone team with the Sheriff’s Office spotted him and alerted deputies, who took him into custody. He was taken to a nearby hospital and is expected to be booked into the St. Charles Parish jail. 

What they're saying:

When noting the suspect’s ill-advised detour through the swamp, the Sheriff’s Office wrote, "An alligator joined the law enforcement team and tried to convince [the suspect] that surrendering was the better option, but he thought otherwise." 

The post from the Sheriff’s Office included a pair of photos showing an alligator wearing a law enforcement uniform and, in one of them, it was being presented with an award.

The backstory:

The chase for the suspect began after Louisiana State Police troopers were alerted to a reckless driver on Interstate 10, according to the Sheriff’s Office, which also cited reports that the driver had struck a concrete barrier and blown a tire. After troopers located the driver and stopped him on Interstate 310, they determined that he was showing signs of impairment.

While troopers were investigating the man for a DWI, he jumped off the elevated roadway and went into the swamp, the report added. He was later seen by deputies walking along another highway and then ducked back into the swamp. That’s when he met the scales of justice. 

What's next:

The suspect is expected to be booked on counts of operating a vehicle while impaired and resisting an officer.

The alligator was not hurt in the confrontation, the Sheriff’s Office noted, while adding one last reminder. "Don't drive impaired, don't run from deputies, and definitely don't hide in Louisiana swamps. Wildlife may just be cooperating with law enforcement."

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