Police in Port St. Lucie. Fla., say that an alligator helped catch alleged car thief Calvin Rodriguez, WPTV reports.
He collided with the large reptile while trying to escape in one of his stolen vehicles:
Investigators say Rodriguez is responsible for stealing at least five cars that were parked in the lots of Wal-Mart, Sam's Club, Publix and Winn Dixie. Rodriguez was said to be using 'shaved keys' that would open the doors and start the engines of Honda and Acura vehicles.
Police finally spotted Rodriguez in a Honda Civic. They say he sped off but was stopped in his tracks when the stolen car collided with an alligator.
"It's pretty unimaginable that police officers would be at that point in time looking for these suspects and that an alligator unfortunately just happens to cross the road and assist us in catching these criminals," said Det. Keith Boham.
At least two others with Rodriguez are facing unrelated charges.
Rodriquez is facing five counts of Grand Theft Auto.
The condition of the alligator that was hit is unknown.