Foto: Darrien Land / 500px / Getty Images
Bradenton, FL - A Florida woman’s routine pizza delivery took a wild turn when a massive alligator decided to camp out under a vehicle in her driveway, leaving the delivery driver too frightened to complete the order.
The bizarre incident took place in a 55+ community in Bradenton, where an 8-foot alligator was spotted lurking beneath a parked car.
The Bradenton Police Department later shared footage of the unusual situation on X (formerly Twitter), showing Officer Tolson stepping in to assist both the startled driver and the hungry customer.
Bodycam footage captured the tense moments as Officer Tolson arrived at the scene and stopped the delivery driver in her tracks, warning her about the alligator hiding under the vehicle.
Nervous about the massive reptile, the driver hesitated, asking, “I’m a little scared. Can you do it, officer?”
Seeing her discomfort, Tolson agreed to handle the delivery, taking both the pizza and the receipt.
Meanwhile, a concerned neighbor phoned the woman who had placed the order, advising her not to step outside.
Despite the warning, the woman unknowingly opened her front door, only to be met with a firm command from Tolson.
"Stay inside!" he cautioned as she looked outside in shock.
The moment she realized what was lurking just feet away, she reacted with disbelief.
"There’s an alligator under my car?" she exclaimed in shock.
Despite the reptilian visitor, the woman remained focused on one thing—her pizza.
"Where’s my food?" she asked.
Tolson reassured her that he would bring it to the back entrance.
When he arrived, she was ready with cash in hand to pay for the order.
"You’re the police?" she asked in surprise. "They sent you?"
After exchanging the pizza for cash, Tolson promised to pass along the payment to the delivery driver.
Before the encounter ended, the woman wanted to capture the surreal moment.
To keep her at a safe distance, the officer used her phone to take a photo of the massive alligator before officials arrived to remove it from the area.
Encounters with alligators are common in Florida, especially in areas where urban expansion encroaches on their natural habitats.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) frequently advises residents to be vigilant, particularly during warmer months when alligators are more active.