‘Drunk’ tourist Anthony Lessa sexually molests a manatee statue outside a Florida restaurant when staff told him to leave after he threw FRIED alligator pieces inside eatery
- Anthony Michael Lessa, 23, was asked to leave the restaurant after being told he had paid his bill and became upset
- He became 'physically aggressive' towards a staff member and began throwing the nuggets around the dining room before fleeing
- When he finally left, he “mistreated” the plastic manatee statue in the parking lot
A Pittsburgh man visiting Florida was arrested and charged after throwing fried “gator bites” across a restaurant and then harassing a manatee statue in the parking lot.
Officers were called to Rick's Reef Bar in St. Pete Beach on Friday after reports that an intoxicated man was causing a disturbance.
Anthony Michael Lessa, 23, was asked to leave the restaurant after being told he had paid his bill and became upset.
He became “physically aggressive” toward an employee and began throwing the fried alligator nuggets across the dining room before fleeing.
Once he left, he “attacked” the plastic manatee statue in the parking lot. Officials said he was again asked to leave.
Anthony Michael Lessa, 23, was asked to leave the restaurant after being told he had paid his bill and became upset
Lessa became 'physically aggressive' towards a staff member and began throwing the nuggets across the dining room before fleeing. When he finally left, he “attacked” the plastic manatee statue (pictured) in the parking lot
Lessa ran from the restaurant grounds to a nearby hotel where he was staying.
He was later seen shouting obscenities at Postcard Inn staff, who had also asked him to leave. Deputies eventually arrived after employees contacted the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office.
In a video posted by the sheriff's office, Lessa continually asks what he is being arrested for and demands to see a lawyer.
When he was arrested, police discovered he had been clinging to some crocodile nuggets when they asked if he had any drink or drugs on him.
'What is that? Oh, that was the crap you threw at the other restaurant,” a deputy says to Lessa as they pet him.
'Clogs, yes. Gator nuggets. Shark bites,” Lessa replies.
Officers were called to Rick's Reef Bar in St. Pete Beach on Friday after reports that an intoxicated man was causing a disturbance
Lessa demands again what his charges are before an officer slams the back door of the police car.
The officers are then heard joking about the alligator nuggets they found in Lessa's pocket.
“I thought it looked like cork,” the deputy told another deputy. “I thought, why does he have a cork in his pocket?”
Lessa was charged with disorderly intoxication, the sheriff's office said. He was later released.