The bomb squad was called to a traffic stop in Florida after a driver was spotted with “missiles” mounted to the back of his truck, according to authorities.
Florida Highway Patrol Troop C confirmed in an Instagram post that it had received multiple calls from motorists on Interstate 4 about the truck. Eventually, the driver, whom the FHP referred to as “#RocketMan,” was stopped on SR-39 near Plant City, outside of Tampa.
Multiple agencies, including the Plant City Police Department, fire department, and the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office, established a perimeter around the scene until the bomb squad arrived, reports WESH.
Eventually, the missiles were determined to simply be “plastic devices used for show and events,” the FHP wrote, adding that “all was determined safe.”
The driver, Michael Nipper, told authorities he had purchased the missiles online for an event, according to WESH.
The FHP said the driver was subsequently advised on how to transport the model weapons in the future.
“#NeverADullMoment in #Tampa,” the force concluded in its statement.
The incident unfolded on Sunday.
In images released by the FHP, two rockets appear to be fixed to the truck by a series of posts.
The smaller missile has a bright red tip and electric-blue fins, while the other is grey and yellow. The larger projectile is emblazoned with “AIM - 120B.”
Members of the FHP even posed in front of the faux missiles in one image, grinning as the rockets stretched out behind them.
Social media users were divided on whether the vehicle should have been stopped, with some urging drivers to “mind their own business.”
Others had a more humorous response to the post.
“Nobody tailgating him…” one joked.
“God forbid a man has hobbies,” said another.
The Independent has contacted the FHP for comment.
