An aide removed a crocodile from a family pool, only to have it briefly escape in the back of his police car. The incident caught the attention of onlookers who seemed to appreciate the display. The video showcased Officer Nathan Richardson of the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office swiftly responding to the scene in St. Augustine.
Richardson used a pool skimmer to maneuver the approximately four-foot-long alligator onto the pool deck before seizing it by the neck. “Gotcha, you’re okay. I know you’re upset,” he reassured the creature as he maintained control over it.
With one hand securing the crocodile’s neck, he managed to grab its tail with the other, and surprisingly, the gator seemed to realize that fighting was futile, staying relatively calm throughout.
Homeowners speculated that Richardson likely grew up in the area, given his adeptness at handling such predators. “Florida has truly made it to the top!” a man remarked on video as Richardson carried the alligator toward his patrol car.
Having been raised in Jacksonville, Richardson demonstrated further finesse by opening the police car door and holding the gator’s tail like a leash. The crocodile, after a brief struggle, settled as it was secured in the back seat.
“Who would’ve thought? Let me just let you relax,” he remarked to the subdued reptile. According to reports from the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office, Richardson later transported the crocodile to a nearby pond for release.
“I buckle everyone up in the back, so I figured I should do the same for the gator,” he commented.
This incident sparked comparisons to those for whom handling crocodiles might be more daunting. In New York City, for example, police often face more serious crimes, making encounters like Richardson’s seem almost quaint.
In another notable interaction earlier this year, a former NYPD officer—now a Florida resident—struggled when attempting to take control of a young crocodile. “You’ve got big teeth, and I’ve got tiny fingers,” he jokingly told the alligator.
Crocodiles are prevalent across Florida, with an estimated population of around 1.3 million, as noted by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
