In an unusual turn of events, a homeless man in Florida found himself in handcuffs outside a Taco Bell after an early morning encounter ended with more than just a meal. The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office detailed the bizarre incident, which involved the man exposing himself while wearing three pairs of pants, all conspicuously lowered.
The incident unfolded just before 1 a.m. on a Friday, when a Taco Bell employee contacted authorities after realizing the individual had no intention of simply passing through. According to the Sheriff’s Office, the man, identified as 28-year-old Brandon Irizarry, was spotted beside the restaurant’s side door, fully exposed.
In a Facebook post, the Sheriff’s Office humorously recounted the scene, noting that Irizarry was so engrossed in his actions that he failed to notice the deputies arriving on the scene. When he finally realized he was not alone, he attempted to cover himself by pulling his hoodie down over his groin area, rather than adjusting the multiple pairs of pants hanging around his knees.
This peculiar episode at the Taco Bell adds an unexpected chapter to a night that clearly did not go as planned for Irizarry. The incident underscores the unpredictable nature of law enforcement duties, where even a routine call can take a surprising turn.
When deputies arrived, the man, identified as Brandon Irizarry, 28, was standing outside the front door and was “so focused on the task at hand” that he didn’t even notice the officers roll up.
“The jig was up, as he frantically covered up, pulling his hoodie down below his crotch instead of pulling up the multiple pants he had around his knees.”
But the story has a fishy twist, and even a happy ending.
After deputies arrested Irizarry, they found a live pet fish swimming in a plastic container in his backpack, and quickly acted to give it a good home.
“We have many questions. We do not have answers. What we did have was a fish in need of better company. The Betta, who we have named Baja Blast, has since been transferred to the Flagler County Humane Society,” FCSO wrote.
Staffers at the rescue organization later told the department that the rescued fish is “doing great” in her new environs.
“In Flagler County, if you can’t keep your business inside your pants, you’ll find yourself at the Green Roof Inn, swimming with different company than your fish,” Sheriff Rick Staly said, referencing the county jail by its nickname.
“A reminder for the rest of Flagler County: a late-night Taco Bell run should end with a receipt, maybe some regret, but not a booking number.”
Irizarry was arrested for unlawful exposure of sexual organs and transported to Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility where he’s being held on $5,000 bond, FCSO said.
