Matthew Riggins, 22, told his girlfriend he would be stealing things from people with another suspect in Barefoot Bay in Brevard County on 13 November.

On the day, local sheriff Major Tod Goodyear said he received calls about suspicious men dressed as burglars walking behind homes in the area.

Deputies said Mr Riggins phoned his girlfriend to let her know they were being chased and were hiding from police who were at the scene with a police dog.

Mr Riggins was reported as missing the next day. His body was found on 23 November floating in a pond, with injuries indicating an alligator attack.

Mr Goodyear told News 9: “He probably went into the lake to hide from the officers and the dog, and came across that gator.

“To hide somewhere to try and get away, and then meeting up with an animal like that, no, I’ve never had that happen before.”

Mr Riggins drowned but his hand and foot were found in the alligator’s stomach. It was later trapped and euthanised.

A bank in South Carolina was closed after an intoxicated man refused to leave and said his heart rate was racing because he was turning into fictional comic book character the Incredible Hulk.

Spartanburg County Sheriff’s office reported a bank employee asked Cale Marcus Strickland a number of time to get out.

Deputies said he was intoxicated on a narcotic when they arrived and was shaking uncontrollably.

He began talking to imaginary people and failed to make any sense.

They added his heart was racing but that he declined treatment because his he was turning into the Hulk.

Mr Strickland was arrested for public disorderly conduct and swearing loudly in public.