The viral term “Florida man” has become synonymous with the most heinous crimes committed in the Sunshine State — but this year’s craziest crime list includes a handful of women.
The year began with a woman trying to get out of a DUI by performing an Irish folk dance for an officer, while a month later another tried to get arrested in order to get it off her bucket list.
Other outrageous crimes include a man who threw a hot dog at an officer and another who stole a truck to warn US Space Force officials about fighting aliens and Chinese dragons.
Meanwhile, the year ended with a man beating his wife with a Christmas tree after she asked him to help prepare dinner.
has compiled a list of bizarre crimes in the state in 2022.
Amy Harrington, 38, has been charged with driving under the influence, damaging property and refusing to take a test
April 27: A Florida woman tried to avoid drunk driving by performing an Irish folk dance
Body camera footage showed the moment a Madeira Beach woman tried to get out of a DUI by proving her sobriety with an Irish dance.
Amy Harrington, 38, showed signs of being intoxicated – including bloodshot, watery eyes and dilated pupils – when she was struck by a car a mile from her home.
Officers who arrived at the scene ordered Harrington to test her sobriety by walking in a straight line, but said in an incident report that she was “struggling to follow directions and was unsteady on her feet and nearly fell.”
When she began stumbling, Harrington recovered by doing “several ballet and Irish folk dance moves,” the report said.
“That wasn’t good,” the officer tells Harrington in the footage. Then she shrugged and continued spinning across the asphalt.
She was then arrested but refused to take a blood alcohol test and was charged with drink driving, criminal damage to property and refusing to submit to a test.
Janiya Shaimiracle Douglas, 19, was arrested for erratic driving and admitted to police it has been on her list since high school
May 12: A Florida woman is crossed and removed from her bucket list
A Florida teenager was arrested for reckless driving on a Key Largo road on May 12 and admitted to police it’s been on her wish list since high school.
Janiya Shaimiracle Douglas, 19, was pulled over by police after a brief pursuit that ended when she stopped at an intersection.
The arrest affidavit then reads: “The suspect stated that the arrest had been on her bucket list since high school. Douglas was taken to prison.’
Douglas works as a housekeeper and lives in Homestead, Fla., about 20 miles from the scene of the arrest, according to the sheriff’s website.
She was charged with fleeing and escaping from the police.
Jason Stroll, 47, was arrested for throwing a hot dog at an officer
July 4: Florida man arrested for throwing a hot dog at an officer
Jason Stroll, 47, became agitated when a St. Pete officer approached him mid-shift about his expired sales license.
Stroll ignored the officer’s warning and continued to sell hot dogs on the street.
When an officer asked Stroll to leave his post, the clerk became angry and threw the officer a hot dog.
He was arrested for a crime.
Corey Johnson, 29, stole a truck on July 29 while on a “mission” for the President
July 29: A Florida man stole a suitcase and drove to a Space Force base to warn about aliens
Corey Johnson, 29, stole a truck on July 29 while he was on a “mission” for the president, according to the WFLA.
Johnson had taken a truck from Riviera Beach and driven to Patrick Space Force Base to warn about aliens and Chinese dragons.
He arrived at the base to warn officials about the message he claimed the President had sent to him in his mind.
But he was instead arrested for stealing an engine.
Roberto Hercules, 45, wore nothing but a cowboy hat as he approached a woman on a bicycle with a machete
October 17: Florida man attacks woman while wearing only a cowboy hat
Roberto Hercules, 45, wore nothing but a cowboy hat as he approached a woman on a bicycle with a machete.
“Police said he asked her for a crack pipe, but when she said she didn’t have one, he chased her with a machete,” the arrest report obtained by WPLG said.
He was charged with attempted murder and aggravated assault.
Police released this mugshot of McDowell on Wednesday after he was arrested again
November 29: A Florida man known for having a large neck is arrested again
Charles Dion McDowell, 31, was arrested on November 28 for aggravated stalking and failing to pay child support.
McDowell was arrested twice before in 2018 and became widely known for his big neck after his mug shot went viral.
He was initially arrested on charges including evading police, possession of meth, possession of cocaine and a host of other charges including intent to sell, manufacture or supply.
In his second arrest, he was charged with attempting to evade possession of second-degree marijuana, driving with a revoked driver’s license, driving recklessly and using lanes inappropriately, prison records show.
Chad Mason, 36, was arrested on Sunday after he was caught having sex with a Goldendoodle in front of children
December 2: Florida man arrested for having sex with a goldendoodle
Chad Mason, 36, was caught having sex with the puppy in front of children before running to a nearby church to vandalize a crib and attempting to steal a car.
Mason was arrested for indecent display, exposure of genitals and criminal mischief at a place of worship.
He took the Goldendoodle for a walk in the apartment complex located at Block 2600 of McMullen Booth Road in Clearwater when he went on a crime spree.
Mason caused about $400 in damage to the crib.
Richard Daniel Atchison, 52, was arrested around 7pm Monday on charges including false imprisonment and domestic battery. He hit his wife on the head with a Christmas tree
December 12: Man arrested for hitting his wife with a Christmas tree
Richard Daniel Atchison, 52, was arrested December 12 after hitting his wife with a Christmas tree when she asked him for help with dinner.
Atchison lost her temper after the couple got into an argument at their home in Fruitland Park.
The woman, whose name has not been released, told police the argument escalated when she accidentally splashed water on him while putting a spoon in the sink.
She said her spouse packed some things and went to his car before coming back and telling her to go instead.
The victim told police that when Atchison tried to go through the front door, she used both hands and pushed her away from the door in her shoulder area, causing her to trip, the police report said.
Shocked by what had just happened, the victim went into the living room and sat down with a friend who was visiting at the time.
Shortly after, Atchison picked up the Christmas tree — which was in the corner of the room — and threw it toward the kitchen area. The tree was broken in half at this point.
The suspect then picked up the broken tree and threw it at his wife, hitting her, according to the affidavit.
Atchison was arrested on felony charges including false imprisonment, violating a restraining order and domestic battery.
Tevin Keason Williams, 31, was arrested on December 14 after threatening to kill his roommate and neighbor and confessing to hitting a raccoon with a hammer
December 14: Florida man arrested for hitting his roommate’s raccoon
Tevin Keason Williams, 31, was arrested in Lake County on December 14 after hitting a raccoon and allegedly threatening to kill his roommate.
Williams had jumped off his scooter and started hitting his roommate’s vehicle as she got home.
“I’m going to kill you,” he yelled at the roommate before throwing a hammer at her as she escaped.
The woman, who has not been identified, was able to run to a neighboring house for help.
There, the neighbor said Williams previously threatened to kill him with a sewing needle and confessed to hitting the raccoon. It is unclear whether the animal survived.
He was arrested for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and aggravated animal cruelty.