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Pasco Deputies Answer Call, Get Surprise: Gator In Fish Tank

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By JOSH POLTILOVE | The Tampa Tribune

Published: March 30, 2009

Deputies responding to an argument at a New Port Richey home Sunday morning found something completely unexpected – a live alligator in a fish tank.

They called the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, which told them to photograph the gator and release it into a nearby lake, Pasco sheriff's spokesman Kevin Doll said. Deputies did just that.

They also arrested Aaron Nicholas Emrick, 30, of 11761 Purdue St. He charged with unlawful possession of an alligator, battery of a law enforcement officer, possession of drug paraphernalia and resisting arrest without violence.

The incident began about 1:30 a.m. Sunday when deputies arrived at Emrick's home. Emrick's brother wanted a woman trespassed from the home.

While Emrick and a woman were arguing, "they struck one of our deputies," Doll said. The deputy was unharmed.

Another deputy used pepper spray on Emrick and the woman, Doll said.

Doll said he wasn't sure if the alligator at the home had a name, and while he wasn't sure exactly how large it was, "I would imagine that it was around a foot long or less."

Doll didn't know exactly where the alligator was released, but he said it was in the area of Moon Lake.

Reporter Josh Poltilove can be reached at (813) 259-7691.

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