**Florida Deputy to the Rescue: When Snakes and Cars Collide**

In the wild world of Florida, where alligators sunbathe in backyard pools and iguanas doze off on golf courses, it takes more than just your average deputy to handle the daily dose of reptilian drama. So when a resident of Lehigh Acres found themselves face-to-face with an unexpected engine invader—a snake lurking under the hood of their car—they knew exactly who to call: Sgt. James Van Pelt, the snake-wrangling superhero of the Lee County Sheriff's Office.

According to a Facebook post by the sheriff's office, the call came in reporting a behemoth of a snake—15 to 20 feet long, to be precise—coiled up and causing chaos in the engine compartment of a hapless resident's car. But fear not, dear readers, for our fearless deputy was on the case, armed with nerves of steel and a trusty state-issued python contractor license. Yes, you read that correctly.

Upon arrival at the scene, Sgt. Van Pelt quickly assessed the situation, ready to face off against the mythical serpent that had surely struck fear into the hearts of the entire neighborhood. However, much to everyone's relief (or perhaps disappointment for those hoping for a more epic showdown), reality proved to be far less dramatic than the initial report.

Instead of a monstrous python fit for a Hollywood blockbuster, what Sgt. Van Pelt found lurking beneath the hood was a humble red rat snake, probably no larger than a well-fed garden hose. Nevertheless, a snake is a snake, and this uninvited guest had to be dealt with swiftly and with precision.

As the snake basked in the warmth of the engine bay, oblivious to the commotion it had caused, Sgt. Van Pelt sprang into action, carefully extracting the slithery interloper from its cozy hiding spot. With the finesse of a seasoned snake whisperer, he gently guided the red rat snake to safety, ensuring that both the reptile and the bewildered homeowner emerged unscathed from the encounter.

But the story doesn't end there, dear readers. Oh no, Sgt. Van Pelt wasn't content to simply remove the snake and call it a day. No, he had a mission: to ensure that this wayward serpent found its way back to the wild where it belonged. And so, with a flourish worthy of a hero's send-off, he released the red rat snake into a nearby wooded area, bidding it farewell as it slithered off into the sunset.

As for the relieved resident and their car, they can rest easy knowing that their unexpected brush with wildlife had been expertly handled by one of Florida's finest. And Sgt. James Van Pelt? Well, he'll go down in Lee County legend as the deputy who faced down a snake in a car engine and emerged victorious, one slithering rescue at a time.