Man throws live alligator into Florida restaurant

A Florida fast food restaurant got a customer it was not expecting when a live alligator was tossed through a drive-through window by a patron.

Joshua James (23) of Jupiter, Florida, had wanted to play a practical joke on a friend working at the Wendy's restaurant in Royal Palm Beach when he decided to hurl the reptile into the building, his parents told local broadcaster WPTV.

"It was a stupid prank," Linda James said.

Mr James faces charges of aggravated assault, and unlawful possession and transportation of an alligator, WPTV said. The incident took place in October.

Mr James found the three-foot alligator on the side of the road and led the reptile into his truck, according to a Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission incident report cited by the station.

He drove to the Wendy’s restaurant and placed an order, received a drink at the drive-through window, and then threw the alligator through the opening, it said.

The report contains a photograph of the alligator sitting on the floor of the restaurant, WPTV reported.

The alligator was released back into the wild.

Reuters