A homeless man seen walking the streets of a Jacksonville Beach neighborhood with a giant rattlesnake prompted residents to call police for help.
"The snake appeared to be 6 to 8 feet long however, I was not about to get out a measuring tape. We told him to put in the back of the patrol car", said Jacksonville Beach Police Sgt. Larry Smith.
Police say the man claimed God compelled him to keep the snake safe from traffic. He also told officers that he had experience handling diamondbacks.
FWC officers were able to also responded and secured the rattler before relocating it to a wooded area.
Because the man found the snake, charges won't be filed.