Chaos erupted across several parts of Florida last week as police dealt with a string of bizarre incidents that left residents shocked and bewildered.
In one case, a group of nudists were taken into custody after authorities said they stripped down at the wrong beach, igniting a wave of complaints from nearby residents.
Six individuals were arrested by the St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office on October 25 following what deputies described as a series of “numerous complaints regarding unauthorized nudity.”
According to law enforcement officials, the group had been lounging near the Little Mud Boat Ramp, a location roughly one mile north of Blind Creek Beach, the county’s only clothing-optional zone.
The nude beach goers were identified as Daniel Harrisson, Donald Knapp, Gaetane Lambert, Steven Marhenke, Elmer Quandt, and Nicolas Ramos.
Each now faces charges of indecent exposure and exposure of sexual organs, the sheriff’s office confirmed.
Authorities noted that Blind Creek Beach is currently closed for temporary renovation, creating what they called “a temporary inconvenience to beachgoers.”
But officials stressed that the closure “does not permit the use of undesignated public areas” as clothing optional.
Since the closure, deputies say some nudists have repeatedly migrated north of the permitted area, attempting to use the nearby boat ramp for sunbathing, prompting frustration among locals.
Law enforcement began increased patrols in early September, deploying both foot and ATV units to remind visitors about the boundaries of the designated nude-optional sections.
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Officials said those efforts would continue, explaining that they are committed to ensuring compliance with county ordinances and state laws.
“Deputies will continue to enforce all state laws and county ordinances related to Blind Creek Beach, including violations involving unauthorized nudity,” the sheriff’s office said in a statement.
“Visitors are reminded to stay within the clearly posted nude-optional boundaries and to cover up before leaving those areas or entering parking lots and public spaces.”
Some locals, however, said they were puzzled by the aggressive response. “I feel bad for them. I wish it didn’t happen. What’s the problem? Why would you find it offensive if someone is naked? Who’s out there to make the complaint is the question,” said a man named Andy in an interview with CBS 12.
Under Florida law, exposure of sexual organs is considered a misdemeanor, punishable by up to one year in jail and a $1,000 fine.
Meanwhile, another bizarre confrontation unfolded in Putnam County, where a man allegedly threatened to eat his neighbor’s dog and stab her after she called the police on him during a heated property dispute.
Authorities said Minor Catledge confronted his neighbor as she walked her dog along a public path adjacent to his property on Friday.
According to the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office, Catledge warned the woman that if she trespassed on what he believed was his land, he would “eat her dog.”
After she reported the encounter to police, deputies visited the area and descalated the situation.
Around an hour later, Catledge allegedly returned to his neighbor’s home armed with a knife and began making violent threats toward her and her family.
An Interlachen police officer who arrived at the scene said he heard Catledge yelling at the woman, threatening to stab her for contacting law enforcement. Officers restrained and arrested him shortly after the altercation.
According to police reports, Catledge continued his threats even after being detained, allegedly telling a deputy that he would “beat” the woman once he was released from jail.
He was charged with aggravated assault and booked into the Putnam County Jail, where he was held on a $5,000 bond.
Elsewhere in Florida, a separate incident took a startling turn when a man stole a vehicle with a one-year-old child still strapped inside the back seat, only to return moments later after realizing what he had done.
Authorities said 53-year-old William Mullis was seen on security footage at a Sunoco gas station in Cocoa approaching a parked car as the driver briefly went inside to make a purchase.
Surveillance video showed Mullis entering the car and driving away, but seconds later, he reversed course, returned to the station, and parked the vehicle in front of the store.
The child’s mother, who had been inside the gas station at the time, ran outside in panic and confronted Mullis.
According to her account, Mullis apologized and told her he would not have taken the vehicle had he known a baby was inside.
“I’m sure this is a parent’s worst nightmare,” said Brevard County Sheriff’s Office Public Information Officer Tod Goodyear.
“In this case, she’s very lucky that this guy saw there was a child in the back seat, got a case of remorse, and decided to drive back and give her her car back with her child in it.”
Goodyear also used the moment to warn parents about the risks of leaving children unattended, even for a few seconds.
“I have three kids. I have four grandkids, and it’s a pain to take the kids out of the car when you’re going in for just a short period of time,” he said.
“But this kind of reinforces you never know what’s gonna happen. You never know who’s watching you.”
Mullis was arrested and booked into the Brevard County Jail on charges of grand theft of a motor vehicle and kidnapping or confinement of a child under 13.
Jail records show that he is being held without bond, with a court date set for early November.
