NAPLES, Fla. -- A Collier County man who told deputies he broke into a home because he was being chased by alligators is now behind bars.
Deputies responded to a break-in at a home on Emilia Lane in the Verona Walk community on Tuesday evening. That’s where the homeowner says he found 30-year-old Bryan Berkley in the kitchen.
The homeowner told Berkley to leave, and he reportedly grabbed a container of ice from the refrigerator and walked outside.
Deputies arrived to find Berkley breaking into a work truck in the driveway, causing hundreds of dollars in damage to brochures promoting the truck owner's business.
When questioned, Berkley claimed he was being chased by alligators and was trying to get a drink of water.
He was taken into custody and booked into jail. Deputies also believe Berkley is responsible to damage to a pool cage and screens at another home on the street.
He’s facing felony charges of Burglary and Grand Theft, and two misdemeanor charges of Criminal Mischief.
