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Nation & World
Protesting farmer in pond surrenders
A 48-hour standoff near Washington, D.C.'s National Mall between a disgruntled farmer and police ended peacefully today when the man surrendered.
Dwight Watson, 50, of Whitakers, N.C., had been protesting the government's farm policies. He left the tractor he had driven into a pond near Washington's monuments at noon Monday. He backed away with his hands raised and was taken into custody.
Police said Watson claimed to have explosives, but a preliminary search of the tractor and the surrounding area after his surrender turned up no explosives and no weapons.
U.S. Park Police Chief Theresa Chambers said Watson had a permit to demonstrate near the Washington Monument from March 16-22, but the permit did not include the area where he drove his tractor into the pond.
Florida men charged for alligator theft
Two men were arrested on charges of stealing young alligators from a moat around a miniature golf course in Clearwater, Fla.
Brett Lassetter Clark, 21, and Philip Andrew Bryant, 19, were charged Tuesday with one count each of burglary and grand theft, though police said they are certain they are responsible for the thefts of the remaining four alligators, each about three to four feet long, in December.
Police said Clark and Bryant face up to 20 years in prison. They are being held at the Pinellas County jail, and a bond amount had not yet been set.
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