Florida woman plays mermaid, arrested for “swimming and entering” beachfront homes

[GennGreymane]

http://crimefeed.com/2016/06/florida...erfront-homes/

She may not have broken through the front door but wannabe mermaid, Tonya Gerlach, 33, is still in hot water after St. Augustine police arrested her for burglary. According to the Palm Beach Post, Gerlach is accused of swimming up to numerous Vilano Beach waterfront homes and entering them without permission. But despite the burglary charge, she didn’t seem particularly interested in stealing valuables; playing house in other people’s homes was this mermaid’s prerogative.

Multiple homeowners reported seeing a female intruder over the last few weeks, with one resident actually running into Gerlach while she was making herself at home. When she was confronted, Gerlach explained that she “worked” there — and in a way she did, as she was busted while watering plants and arranging furniture. Another neighbor provided police with surveillance footage of a woman matching Gerlach’s description making herself comfy in her house, and on May 26, police paid a visit to Gerlach’s residence — which, just to be clear, isn’t a conch shell condo under the sea.

Gerlach allegedly complained to police about her own living arrangements, while Gerlach’s roommate ratted her out, telling cops that she had bragged about breaking into people’s homes. When she was arrested, Gerlach allegedly explained to police that she “just wanted to know how it felt to live in a house like that.” Even mermaids get real estate envy, y’all.

Police also found gabapentin and Xanax in Gerlach’s purse, earning her an additional charge for possession of controlled substances without a prescription. She remains in St. John’s County Jail on an $8,000 bond. Maybe Disney would pay for her release in exchange for the rights to use her story as the plot for The Little Mermaid 2?

[May90]

I guess the phrase, "There is something in the water in Florida", has gained a new meaning!

[Kapadons]

Sounds like she may be mentally unstable.

[Annoying]

Gabapentin is terrible, why would anyone want to take it unless they had to? Also, obligatory Florida (wo)man.

[zorkuus]

Sounds like she may be mentally unstable.

That's racist against mermaidkin.

[Dellis0991]

Look out Florida man, duck and cover Georgia man, and hide while you can Michigan man because he comes....Florida woman!

[Independent voter]

She remains in St. John’s County Jail on an $8,000 bond.

Hey! We could crowd fund her bond and bail her out!

[zorkuus]

She remains in St. John’s County Jail on an $8,000 bond.

Hey! We could crowd fund her bond and bail her out!

Florida Man will rescue her. We just have to wait and see how it goes hilariously wrong.

[ComputerNerd]

Something fishy going on in Florida I think.

[Lucky Fable]

Sadly they made a little mermaids two... this would of been a better plot for it.

[Powerogue]

Did they decide on this story purely for the puns? It just leaves me salty.

[Kapadons]

That's a requirement for residence in Florida.

It's not for "ponyville"?

[Rudkobing]

She's not even a pretty mermaid. :-( Disappoint.

[Beefsquatch]

When she was arrested, Gerlach allegedly explained to police that she “just wanted to know how it felt to live in a house like that.”

I actually kinda feel for her here. Since she didn't actually steal anything, I think she should get a slap on the wrist and maybe some therapy/counseling.

[LilSaihah]

This sounds like something you'd read on 4chan.

"You find this woman in a mermaid outfit in your pool. What do?"

Well, maybe not this woman. A more attractive woman.

[monkmastaeq]

It's not for "ponyville"?

I'm pretty sure it as, as well as having pictures on your comp that can get you charged with a felony.

OT i figured she was actually in a mermaid outfit for a bit

[Amirila]

It wasn't me, I swear

[Deleted]

Florida. What else?