Man Arrested for Jumping into Alligator Habitat at Busch Gardens

Tampa, FL - A man who went viral last week for jumping into the alligator habitat at Busch Gardens in Tampa has been arrested on charges of burglary, theft of services, and trespassing.

20-year-old Jacob Pursifull was arrested he was filmed jumping over a fence and into the alligator habitat at Busch Gardens last week.

After video of the incident went viral on social media, investigators successfully identified and located Pursifull, leading to his arrest on Monday evening.

According to Busch Gardens, Pursifull violated park policy and jumped two fences to get inside the alligator habitat.

The park added that there are signs and multiple barriers indicating that it was a restricted access area. 

The theme park said its security and animal care teams responded immediately, and that no people or animals were injured during the incident. 

Pursifull has been booked into the Orient Road Jail on charges of burglary, theft of services, and trespassing.


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