The internet has a weird obsession with Florida. It’s basically a national pastime at this point. You know the drill: you type "Florida Man" followed by your birthday into Google just to see what kind of chaos was unfolding while you were eating cake.
If your birthday happens to be Florida man January 3, you’ve actually hit a bit of a goldmine. While some dates just have a boring burglary or a standard traffic stop, January 3rd is apparently the day when the post-New Year’s hangovers wear off and the truly bizarre decision-making begins.
Honestly, it’s impressive.
We aren't just talking about people being "a little rowdy." We are talking about legendary-tier Florida behavior. From the "Straw War" of St. Petersburg to some deeply questionable choices involving 911 dispatchers, the history of January 3rd in the Sunshine State reads like a fever dream. Let's look at what actually happened on this specific calendar day over the years.
The Straw Incident Heard ‘Round the World
If there is one story that defines Florida man January 3, it’s the 2019 McDonald’s brawl. This wasn't some minor disagreement over a cold burger. This was a full-blown physical altercation sparked by—and I’m not joking—a plastic straw.
In St. Petersburg, a man named Daniel Taylor became 2019’s first major viral sensation for all the wrong reasons. Apparently, he was upset that straws weren't out in the lobby (due to a local law change). He didn't just ask for one. He reached across the counter and grabbed a young female employee by the shirt, pulling her toward him.
But here’s where the "Florida" part kicks in. The employee didn’t back down. She started swinging back.
The video is wild. You’ve got a guy being physically aggressive over a piece of plastic, and an employee defending herself with the kind of hand-speed that would make a boxer jealous. Eventually, other workers stepped in. But Taylor wasn't done. As he was being kicked out, he reportedly kicked another employee in the stomach.
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Police caught up with him shortly after at a nearby Shell station. He was charged with two counts of simple battery. It remains one of the most cited examples of why you should never, ever mess with Florida fast-food workers on their shift.
Calling 911 for a Move-In Service?
Move over, U-Haul. In 2023, two people in Polk County decided they had a better idea for getting their belongings from point A to point B.
On January 3, 2023, deputies responded to a 911 call at a home in Poinciana. Usually, 911 is for, you know, emergencies. When the cops arrived, they found a male and a female suspect who had broken into a house that wasn't theirs.
They hadn't just broken in to hide. They called 911 because they wanted help moving their stuff out of the house.
Wait, it gets better.
The female suspect also asked the responding officers if they could give her a ride to the airport. She wanted to go to New York. The boldness is almost respect-worthy if it weren't so completely illegal. Instead of a flight to the Big Apple, they got a free ride to the Polk County Jail.
The 2020 Uber "Sucker Punch"
January 3, 2020, gave us a story that felt like a scene from a dark comedy. A 77-year-old Uber driver in Volusia County was just trying to do his job. He picked up Michael Garred, a 260-pound man who had apparently celebrated the New Year a little too hard.
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Mid-ride, without any warning, Garred allegedly sucker-punched the elderly driver.
When a deputy arrived, he found the minivan door open and two sets of legs sticking out. Garred was literally lying on top of the driver in the driver's seat. The body cam footage is intense. You can hear the driver pleading for help.
As the deputy tried to make the arrest, things got even more "Florida." Garred started resisting, shouting that he was "complying" while doing the exact opposite. He eventually told the officers he was dying, closed his eyes, and fell face-first into the backseat. He also allegedly assaulted a nurse once he got to the hospital.
The Volusia County Sheriff, Mike Chitwood, wasn't amused. He officially named Garred his first "Scumbag of the Week" for 2020. It's a title that carries some weight in those parts.
Why Does This Keep Happening on January 3rd?
There's a sort of "holiday hangover" effect that happens in early January. People are tired. They're broke from buying gifts. Maybe they're a little frustrated that their New Year's resolutions lasted exactly 48 hours.
In Florida, that frustration manifests in unique ways.
Recent January 3rd Highlights:
- 2026 (Lake County): Gregory Lockwood was charged after an incident on Jan 3 involving an attempted kidnapping. He allegedly offered a teenager $300 to get into his SUV. Thankfully, she refused, and he was caught a few days later.
- 2022 (Traffic Chaos): A man was pulled over for doing 55 in a 35 zone. When the deputy smelled booze, the guy admitted to having six drinks. The body cam footage of his field sobriety test became a minor YouTube hit because of how hard the officers had to work to keep a straight face.
- The "Syringe" Defense: While the arrest happened a few days prior, the news cycle on January 3rd often picks up the "aftermath" stories. One of the classics involved a man who claimed three syringes found in his rectum during a search were "not his" and he had no idea how they got there. That's a level of denial most of us can't even fathom.
Lessons from the Florida Man Files
If you find yourself in Florida on January 3rd, or if you’re just reading the headlines from the safety of your couch in Ohio, there are some genuine takeaways here.
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First, don't fight over straws. It’s never worth it.
Second, the police are not a moving company. If you need help with your luggage or a ride to the airport, call a friend or an actual Uber (and please, don't punch the driver).
Florida has very broad "Sunshine Laws." This is the real reason why Florida man January 3 stories are so prevalent. In other states, police records are often kept under wraps. In Florida, almost everything is public record. This means every weird, sad, or hilarious thing a person does gets documented and blasted out to the media almost immediately.
The madness isn't necessarily that Florida has "crazier" people—it's just that Florida is way more transparent about its craziness.
Actionable Advice for Avoiding Your Own "Florida Man" Headline:
- Hydrate: A lot of these January 3rd incidents involve people who are clearly dehydrated and sleep-deprived from the holidays.
- Check the Law: Laws change on January 1st. If a business says they can't give you a straw or a bag, they're probably just following a new ordinance.
- Use 911 for Emergencies: This sounds obvious, but apparently, it needs to be said. Logistics and travel arrangements are not police matters.
If you’re looking up your "Florida Man" birthday for January 3rd, you’re looking at a history of straw-induced brawls, confused burglars, and New Year's New Me's gone horribly wrong.
Stay safe out there. And if you see a guy in a minivan acting suspicious on Kepler Road, maybe just keep driving.
Next Steps for You:
If you want to track down the specific police report or the original body cam footage for the 2019 McDonald's incident, you can search the St. Petersburg Police Department's public records portal. For the more recent 2026 Lake County cases, the Eustis Police Department typically releases updates via their official social media channels. Check local county clerk websites for court dates if you're curious about how these cases actually wrapped up in the legal system.