A man who tried to trade a live, four-foot alligator for a pack of beer at a Miami convenience store was cited for charges related to illegally capturing the gator, officials said.
Fernando Caignet Aguilera was cited after he tried to trade the gator for beer at the Santa Ana Market at 3000 Northwest 12th Avenue back on Dec. 10, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission spokesman Jorge Pino said Tuesday.
"I have never experienced anything like this in 25 years in law enforcement," Pino said.
On Tuesday evening, several news camera crews gathered outside Aguilera's Allapattah home seeking an interview, but he became hostile.
Aguilera reportedly demanded money, and when he did not get it, he shouted obscenities and lunged at a WSVN photographer, video showed, and broke his camera. Miami Police were called to the scene, and a report was filed against Aguilera, according to WSVN.
Hours after the interview, Aguilera remained posted outside of his home, and refused to speak to any members of the media.
According to Pino, Aguilera found the gator at a nearby park, trapped it and brought it to the store. He approached the clerk with the trade proposal, but the clerk called authorities.
"This is absolutely bizarre. I can't imagine somebody wanting to barter a live, 4-foot alligator for a 12-pack of beer. It makes no sense to me," Pino said.
FWC officers responded and took the alligator from Aguilera, who was cited for taking possession of and trying to sell the alligator.
"It was pretty much in good shape, we didn't notice any unusual conditions on it," Pino said.
The alligator was released back into the wild.
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Pino said it is prohibited to harrass, touch or feed alligators in Florida.
