A suspected burglar died after he was chomped by a gator while hiding from police near Barefoot Bay, Brevard County sheriffs said.


Authorities found Matthew Riggins’ body on Nov. 23 in a lake. As police tried to pull the remains from the body of water, they were almost attacked by an aggressive 11-foot alligator, Major Tod Goodyear said in a statement.

After the gator was euthanized by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, forensic investigators found the 22-year-old burglary suspect's hand and foot inside the reptile’s stomach, officials said.

“He hid in the wrong place,” Laura Farris, a Barefoot Bay resident told Bay News 9.

Several hours before his attempted break-in, Riggins told his girlfriend he would be in the Barefoot Bay community to steal from homes, officers said.

Deputies responded to the neighborhood around 2 a.m. Nov. 13 after receiving reports of two suspicious men dressed in black.

When officers approached the duo, the perps fled and hid near a lake.

While hiding, Riggins called his girlfriend and said he was being chased by deputies.

Police found the alligator attack victim’s alleged partner-in-crime, who has not been cooperative, cops said.

Riggins was reported missing by family the next day and ultimately was found dead in the lake 10 days after the burglary call.

Racist cops.

Fortunately, he was white.

Gators are green.

Those are crocodiles.

If the gaters had been vegan he would have gotten away. Maybe to commit more burglaries and possibly murder.
Where would society be without carnivorous crime fighters?...Even if they aren't green.

The gator must feel superior to the perp.

Rightfully so!

Why did they kill the gator? Where is the ACLU when you need them or the SPCA?

Agreed.
When was the last time you heard of a gator burgling a house to supplement his drug habit?