Alabama man strips naked, takes 'cannonball' leap into Bass Pro Shops aquarium: Report

Every year, millions of Americans visit the Bass Pro Shops, a giant retail chain dedicated to outdoor sports and camping enthusiasts, and few ever leave without first spending at least a few moments gazing in awe and wonder at the indoor aquariums and the beautiful aquatic life inside. However, one Alabama man may have taken his fascination a bit too far when he reportedly stripped naked and jumped into the aquarium for a quick dip with the fishes.

Just before closing on Thursday evening, witnesses reported that the suspect, later identified as 42-year-old George Owens, was behaving erratically at the Bass Pro Shops in Leeds, Alabama, a city of about 12,000 residents located 20 miles east of Birmingham. Reports claim that Owens first slammed his car into a pole in the parking lot. He then went inside the building, where his strange behavior continued.

Once inside, Owens reportedly stripped down to his birthday suit before taking a massive leap, cannonball-style, into the aquarium. He then allegedly swam about for five minutes before police came.

After officers arrived on the scene, Owens allegedly scampered out of the tank and stood under a waterfall, where he proceeded to shout at them. He then dove back into the water before resurfacing once again, police said. Finally, he hoisted himself out of the tank and collapsed on the nearby concrete, perhaps losing consciousness, AL.com reported.

As the officers attempted to arrest him, the suspect apparently revived and began resisting their efforts. Someone then tossed a blanket over him while officers managed to subdue him before placing him in the back of a patrol vehicle. En route to St. Clair County Jail, Owens inflicted some damage to the back of the cruiser, WBRC-TV reported.

Owens is no longer listed among the inmates at the jail, but reports indicate he has been charged with a bevy of counts, including public lewdness, disorderly conduct, resisting arrest, assault on a police officer, and criminal mischief.

Owens was also taken to a nearby hospital for a mental-health evaluation, AL.com reported. The results of that evaluation and whether he has been released from the medical facility remain unclear.

Leeds Police Chief Paul Irwin told WBRC-TV that Owens does suffer from mental illness, but if he gave the outlet a specific diagnosis, the outlet did not share it with viewers. Irwin also reiterated that manifestations of mental illness, such as those allegedly displayed by Owens, can place officers in significant danger.

It is unclear when Owens is next expected to appear in court.

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