A man fleeing police in Miami-Dade County, Florida was apparently attacked and killed by an alligator. Police were originally called to the Miccosukee Indian Reservation to investigate a report that several vehicles had been broken into. The reservation is the home of the Miccosukee Resort & Casino.

Police reportedly detained one individual suspected of involvement in the break ins. However, a second individual fled the scene and attempted to swim across a retention pond to make his escape. The retention pond has signs warning of live alligators.

According to witnesses, they shouted at the man to swim back to shore but he did not realize the danger until it was too late. Witnesses report that the man saw the alligator at the last moment and screamed before disappearing under the water. The man's body was later recovered by divers. Two alligators were trapped in the pond by professionals.

The alligator was apparently popular amongst employees of the Miccosukee Resort & Casino and had been nicknamed Poncho. According to Florida state law the animal must be destroyed. The victim's identity has yet to be released by authorities.

Technorati Tags: