Jockstrip: The world as we know it.

Hunters nab 11-foot, 520-pound gator

COLUMBIA, S.C., Sept. 15 (UPI) -- A group of South Carolina alligator hunters said they bagged an 11-foot, 520-pound gator on the opening weekend of the monthlong hunting season.

Jonathan Martin said he and his father, Marion, along with colleagues Tim Fields and Dennis Seay, nabbed the mammoth alligator Tuesday in a secret spot of the Santee swamp, south of Columbia, where they have had success in previous years, The (Rock Hill) Herald reported Wednesday.

"You could see even before we boated it, it was plenty big," Marion Martin said.

The Martins said they plan to mount the gator's head, dry its hide and save the tail for meat.

"This gator was plenty big. Not a record, no, but I am pleased," Jonathan Martin said.

Stolen 500-pound bear statue found in dorm

DAVENPORT, Iowa, Sept. 15 (UPI) -- Police in Iowa said a 500-pound bear statue stolen from its usual street corner spot was found in a college dormitory two days later.

Investigators said the 6-foot-tall solid oak bear, which was taken Sunday from the corner of Locust and Clarke streets in Davenport, was found two days later in the dormitory housing St. Ambrose University students, WQAD-TV, Moline, Ill., reported Wednesday.

Police said the students cooperated with requests to return the statue to its owners, who investigators said have not yet decided whether to press charges against the alleged thieves.

Boston statues dressed in Belichick hoodie

BOSTON, Sept. 15 (UPI) -- Statues of historical figures in Boston are being fitted with New England Patriots Coach Bill Belichick's signature hoodie for an NFL network tribute.

The NFL network said the cut-off hoodies are being placed on statues of figures including Mayor James Michael Curley, Christopher Columbus and John Singleton Copley as part of the network's tribute, "Bill Belichick: A Football Life," which is scheduled to premier on the cable network Thursday, The Boston Globe reported Wednesday.

Jacque Goddard, a spokesman for Boston's Parks and Recreation Department, said the deal allowing the NFL network to use the statues includes a sizable donation from the network to go toward restoring statues in the city.

Gumby-suited suspect turns self in

SAN DIEGO, Sept. 15 (UPI) -- San Diego police said the man accused of attempting to rob a convenience store while dressed as Gumby has turned himself in to police.

Investigators said Jacob Kiss, 19, who is accused of donning the Gumby costume and trying to rob a 7-Eleven store in the Rancho Penasquitos neighborhood, turned himself in Tuesday alongside alleged accomplice Jason Giramma, 19, who was contacted by detectives last week and told he and Kiss would have to turn themselves in, The San Diego Union-Tribune reported Wednesday.

Detective Gary Hassen, a police spokesman, said Kiss brought along the Gumby costume and it was confiscated by police.

Hassen said Kiss and Giramma were released after being interviewed and the case has been sent to the District Attorney's Office to determine possible charges.

Police said the robbery attempt was unsuccessful because the clerk at first did not take the costumed man seriously and Kiss was then unable to reach into his pockets for a gun he claimed to have due to the bulk of the Gumby suit.