Florida
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CLEARWATER — Police shut down an elaborate underground operation after discovering a man had been running an unlicensed escape room business inside the city’s extensive storm drain system. Marcus “Maze Master” Delgado, 41, had spent eight months converting a network of storm drains into what he advertised on Craigslist as “Florida’s Most Immersive Escape Experience…

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TAMPA — Airport security arrested a man who had been living in the Tampa International Airport terminal for five months, convincing staff he was a “travel influencer” conducting an elaborate social experiment. Kevin “Sky Miles” Pruitt, 37, had created an entire fake online presence complete with a YouTube channel, Instagram account, and business cards identifying…

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JACKSONVILLE — Marine patrol arrested a man who had been living on a massive floating structure in the St. Johns River that he claimed was “technically a boat” but was actually 90% Home Depot materials zip-tied together. Curtis “Captain Curt” Williamson, 44, had constructed what he called the “SS Reasonable Housing Alternative” entirely from materials…

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ORLANDO — Theme park security detained a local man who had been sneaking into Disney World daily for six months disguised as different mascot characters, sometimes performing in multiple parks on the same day. Brandon “The Chameleon” Fletcher, 33, allegedly created an elaborate operation involving seven homemade costumes, a fake employee badge, and what investigators…

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PENSACOLA — Authorities shut down an unauthorized restaurant after a local man converted an abandoned Blockbuster Video into a fully operational Taco Bell franchise, complete with drive-thru service and a convincing menu board. Derek “D-Money” Martinez, 39, had been running “Definitely Real Taco Bell” from the defunct video rental store for three weeks before health…

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FORT MYERS — Transit authorities arrested a man who had been living on city buses for six months, creating an elaborate mobile apartment complete with a mini-fridge, hanging plants, and what he called “the best ocean views in town.” Martin Wheeler, 47, had effectively transformed the back three rows of Bus Route 15 into his…

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