The Charlotte County Sheriff's Department stopped an alligator Friday before it could access an airport runway on New Year's Eve.
Agriculture Det. Justin Treworgy was called to Punta Gorda Airport by security concerning a 7-foot alligator approaching the main runway Dec. 31.
"A commercial jet was due to arrive and could have caused a serious problem," said Bob Carpenter of the sheriff's office.
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A 7-foot gator was stopped 30 feet from an airport runway with a jet due to arrive.
Treworgy found the gator about 30-feet away from the main runway and heading straight for it.
He drove the gator back from the flight line. An FWC officer and airport security officer helped Treworgy by distracting the gator while he snuck up and clamped his hands around the scaly mouth.
Once the gator's mouth was taped shut it was turned over to the FWC officers to relocate in another area away from the airport.
