71-year-old Florida Man Arrested for 'Lassoing' Alligator

A Florida man, Robert Tencie Colin, 71, was arrested and jailed for capturing a 9-foot alligator in an illegal manner.

"They don’t have the manpower or the hours to wait for this alligator to appear, I thought I was doing them a favor, helping them.” - Robert Tencie Colin, Florida Today.

Using a nylon clothesline, Colin created a noose to 'lasso' the gator, which he claimed was aggressive. He secured it to a handrail and called the authorities. Initially lying to police, he later confessed he did it to help protect turtles in a local canal.

Police charged Colin with a felony:

“I said, ‘Let me tell you what I did to help you out,’ and they told me to put my hands behind my back. I told them I couldn’t do that because I just had heart surgery... I didn’t know it was illegal. I’m not from Florida. I was just trying to help.” - Robert Tencie Colin, Florida Today

He spent 13 hours in jail, released on a $2,500 bond.

Authorities state citizens should contact local law enforcement or the FWC for nuisance/dangerous gators, not take matters into their own hands:

• Brevard County Sheriff’s Office
• Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Full Story, Florida Today