Banana Tried To Give Police The Slip
Collegian, 20, was nabbed after struggling with cops
OCTOBER 30--A man dressed in a banana costume sought to slip out of police custody after being caught early yesterday urinating on a Key West sidewalk, according to cops who had to chase the fleeing reveler through Old Town streets.
After being flagged down “about a white male in a banana costume” relieving himself on the side of a building--across from a row of porta pottys--a Key West Police Department officer spotted Kyle Mortimer, 20, “urinating on the sidewalk,” according to an arrest report.
Mortimer, a son of Massachusetts who attends the University of Miami, “immediately fled toward Duval Street” after Officer Michael Chaustit identified himself. In the heart of the city’s Old Town, Duval Street features more than 40 bars (and likely other banana devotees celebrating Halloween 2023).
While Mortimer was “zig zagging” to prevent capture, a second cop grabbed him by the peel. Mortimer then twisted and pulled away, before Chaustit used a leg sweep to knock him to the ground. Even then, Mortimer “interlaced his fingers and held them tightly together” in a bid to stymie his handcuffing.
After being collared around 1:20 AM in front of the Smokin’ Tuna Saloon, Mortimer was walked by police to nearby Old City Hall, where he was charged with disorderly conduct and resisting arrest, both misdemeanors. Free on bond, he is scheduled for arraignment on November 16.
As seen above, Mortimer was still dressed like a banana when he posed for a booking photo. (2 pages)
