Man accused of cutting off gator tail

ORLANDO, Fla., March 31 (UPI) -- Authorities in Florida said they arrested a man who allegedly cut off a 50-inch alligator tail using a knife he kept in his "Taco Bell pants."

Orange County sheriff's deputies said Jason Brewer, 30, was pulled over Tuesday on State Road 50 while allegedly speeding with a broken brake light, the Orlando Sentinel reported Thursday.

The deputy spotted the alligator tail on the floorboards of Brewer's truck and the motorist said he was not a licensed trapper. Alligator hunting season runs from Aug. 15 until Nov. 1, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission said.

Brewer told the deputy he spotted the gator along St. John's River, struck it on the head with a piece of wood and cut off its tail. He told the deputy the knife he used was "in my Taco Bell pants."

It was unclear Thursday whether Brewer was a Taco Bell employee.

The deputy recovered the knife as well as a pistol from the center console of the vehicle.

Brewer was arrested and charged with killing an American Alligator without authority and possession of a firearm in the commission of a felony.