Bizarre Incident: Man Attempts to Walk into Bank with Live Alligator

In a surreal and alarming incident, a man was apprehended outside a bank in Charleston, South Carolina, on Wednesday afternoon after attempting to enter the establishment with a live alligator.In a surreal and alarming incident, a man was apprehended outside a bank in Charleston, South Carolina, on Wednesday afternoon after attempting to enter the establishment with a live alligator. Witnesses reported seeing the man, later identified as 28-year-old Terry “Gator” Jenkins, walking towards the bank with the 4-foot-long reptile in his arms. Jenkins allegedly had a leash attached to the animal’s mouth, but the alligator struggled and snapped at onlookers. As Jenkins approached the bank’s entrance, a security guard noticed the bizarre spectacle and confronted him. Jenkins claimed that the alligator was his “emotional support animal” and that he needed to cash a check to buy food for it. The security guard refused entry and called the police. When officers arrived, they ordered Jenkins to release the alligator. Jenkins initially resisted, arguing that he had the right to be accompanied by his “support animal.” However, after further negotiation, Jenkins reluctantly handed over the alligator to wildlife officials. Officers then arrested him on charges of disorderly conduct, animal cruelty, and illegally possessing an exotic animal. Investigators are still trying to determine how Jenkins acquired the alligator and why he attempted to bring it into the bank. Authorities said that the alligator was not harmed during the incident and was taken to a wildlife sanctuary. The bizarre incident has left the town of Charleston in disbelief. Mayor Amy McCabe said, “This is a reminder that while we have laws in place to protect endangered species, it’s also important to use common sense and respect the safety of others.”