On Patrol – January 2010

Jan. 01

The ‘Fighting Irish’

12:20 a.m. – Officer Thomas – 1600 block, Gulf of Mexico Drive – I responded to a resort in reference to a complaint by staff of a man refusing to leave. Upon arrival I observed a subject later identified, being restrained by the staff. The subject appeared to be trying to get by the staff member to go back inside the lounge area where a New Years Eve celebration was in progress. I took the subject and asked him to place his hands against my car. He recognized me as a police officer, said “Ok officer” and complied. I patted him down for weapons, obtained his name and made observations of his injuries. I noted that he had a small but above his right eyebrown and summoned Longboat Key Fire Department to treat his injury. As we were waiting for the rescue vehicles arrival I interviewed him regarding what had occurred.
He told me that he had been dancing with an unknown female at the celebration when her boyfriend punched him. He said that he believed another man also punched him. He did not know the names of the parties involved and had never seen any of them before. He made a comment about the incident, stating “You know us Irishman, when we like to dance, we’re gonna’ dance. And if we want to fight, we’re gonna’ fight.”
LBKFD arrived to examine and treat the subject’s injuries. Paramedic Taylor advised the subject his injury may require a stitch. He declined any medical treatment.
I interviewed an acquaintance of the subject’s. He claimed that he saw the subject and another man shoving each other on the dance floor and thought they slipped on a dropped drink. The acquaintance took the subject home. I informed the subject I would make attempts to identify the other party involved in the incident with him.
I also spoke with another witness. He stated he saw a White male who seemed to be pulling a woman from the grasp of the subject, and then the man punched the subject. He said they then went to the floor and he thought he saw another White male punching the subject.
The subject was driven home by his friend without further incident. Investigation to continue.

Wallet lost

01:26 p.m. – Officer Erickson – 1900 block, Gulf of Mexico Drive – Complainant stated that on New Year’s Eve, she had dinner at a restaurant on Longboat Key, and visited several friends’ houses. In the process she lost a small brown leather wallet containing her drivers license and a small amount of cash. She retraced her route, but has been unable to locate her wallet.

Dec. 31

Tool box taken 11:49 a.m. – Officer Morningstar – 4300 block, Falmouth Drive – I responded to Longboat Key Police Department to meet with the victim for the report of a theft. Once at the station I spoke to the victim who told me he lives part-time at the Longboat Key residence. He arrived at his address on Dec. 25, 2009 at about noon. He took his tool box into the condo and put it in a closet. On Monday, Dec. 28, 2009 the condo office sent out a pest control company to treat the inside of his condo for termites. The victim was not home when the condo was treated. The victim returned home the same date at about 10 a.m. He went into the closet and noticed the tools gone. He contacted the condo office to notify them of the theft. The victim said the tools were in a red tool box about 14 inches long. Inside the box he had assorted wood carving tools. He said the tools were worth between $500 and $600. Only he and his wife live in the condo. Nobody other then the pest control people had permission to be inside the condo. Nobody has permission to take the tools.
I met with the complainant at the Longboat Key Police Department. I went to the condo office to speak with the manager. The office was closed for the holiday

Dec.30

Asleep at the wheel

05:13 a.m. – Officer Martin Jr. – While on patrol I located a 20012 Mercury, 4-door, silver in color, FL tag# 032-WUA on the backside of the Centre Shop. It was parked well after the businesses had closed. I located two subjects sleeping in the car. A White female and a White male; their listed address was Land O Lakes, Florida. Both subjects admitted they were sleeping in the car waiting to go to the beach a sunrise. They stated that an unknown shop employee there had told them they were okay to stay there over night.
I ran a drivers license and warrants check on both subjects and the man had an active warrant out of Sumter County, Florida. The warrant was for fraud-obtaining property by worthless check. Warrant # 2009MM1597 was confirmed by dispatch. The subject was taken into custody and transported to the Police Department before transportation to the Manatee County Jail. The woman was released at the scene.

Panhandlers handled

03:32 p.m. – Officer Morningstar – Bay Isles, Publix – resonded to Publix in reference to panhandling complainant. I observed both suspects in the open area between Publix and CVS.  As I approached, one of the suspects was heard asking an elderly female passerby for a quarter so he could make a phone call, stating his phone was dead. Both suspects were identified by Florida ID cards.
The manager of Publix stated the suspects had asked several people for money, and an elderly man had given them an unknown amount. When a female refused to give them money, they just laughed and joked about it. Complainant stated he would like both suspects trespassed from Publix property.
Both suspects were advised they were trespassed from the plaza. The trespass form was filled out and signed by the complainant. Both suspects left the area without further incident.

Alarms stolen

10:29 a.m. – Officer Coffman – 700 block, Emerald Harbor Drive – I responded to the address for a report of a past burglary. Once on the scene I spoke to the complainant. She told me she was out of town from May 2009 until Dec. 22, 2009. When she got back she found that an unknown suspect(s) broke into her house and stole the alarm key pad (ADT branc) and a motion detector. She told me nothing else was taken. She has no idea who might have broken into her home. She didn’t call the police right away because nothing of great value was missing. She only now called because she found out other houses on the street had been broken into around the same time. She thought we (police) might need to know.
The house is a single story block house facing south onto Emerald Harbor Road. Behind the house is a canal and screened swimming pool. It appears the unknown suspect(s) entered the house through the rear pool cage then into the house through a sliding glass door. The screen door was unlocked, but the slider appeared to be forced. I saw no tool marks on the outside portion of the door, but the inside lock area was slightly damaged. The house contained other property that was not taken. I searched the area, but couldn’t find any processable evidence. I knocked on several neighbors doors, but couldn’t locate anyone home. I wasn’t able to locate any witnesses or leads.

Campers not welcome

06:18 p.m. – Officer Quarmby – 600 block, Tarawitt Drive – Report of an occupied camper. I made contact with the camper’s owners. They stated they have been at the residence for one day and will be staying in the residence, not the camper.  The camper is parked next to the house. Subjects were advised of the Town ordinance regarding occupying campers and stated they will comply with the ordinance.
The camper is a bumper pull camper, TN tag TE 07487.

In-laws need help

09:16 p.m. – Officer Thomas – Complainant came to the police department requesting assistance involving leaving her hotel room. The complainant advised that she was down here on vacation with her husband, her seven-year-old son, her brother and his wife and child. The complainant advised further that her husband has been drinking alcolhol and had become very belligerent and rude towards her and her brother and his wife. After speaking with the complainant she advised that she and the rest of her family would be spending the night at another hotel away from her husband and would like the police to standby while they packed some of their belongings.
I and other officers stood by as the family packed their things to spend the night away. The complainant’s husband was aware of the situation and agreed to it, stating he was not getting along with his wife’s brother and his wife. The complainant and the rest of the aforementioned family members departed the hotel, after which we also cleared.

Girlfriend escorted home

11:06 p.m. – Officer Quarmby – 500 block, Harbor Cove Circle – Complainant and his girlfriend were having an argument. Both parties had been drinking. The complainant wanted his girlfriend to go home to solve the problem for the night. I transported the subject home.

Dec. 29

Underage and undercover

01:27 a.m. – Officer Martin – 5600 block, Gulf of Mexico Drive – I responded to the area regarding a loud party called in by an anonymous neighbor. Upon arrival it was determined that the noise was coming from an apartment at the location. Officer Morningstar and myself knocked at the door. We immediately heard the sound of people running inside the unit. Several minutes passed and we banged on the door several more times and no one would come to the door. We announced our selves and knocked some more and eventually someone looking out the window figured out that we were not going to leave and opened the door.
A subject later identified, opened the door. He resides in Bradenton, Florida. He was the tenant and later stated that the unit belonged to his parents. He identified his mother and gave me the phone number to contact her. The subject was at the unit with several other male subjects. The other subjects were seated in the kitchen area and some of the hid in the bedroom. The subjects at the unit stated that they were all 20 years of age.
The unit smelled of an alcoholic beverage, mainly beer. I made the point clear to them and the fact they were underage in Florida to have alcoholic beverages. They surrendered a half a case of Natural Light beer in cans that I took possession of and disposed of. Since they had been drinking they had planned to stay at the unit and not drive home. I advised the tenant subject that I was going to notify his mother of what had occurred but that I would wait until daytime hours (Tuesday) to do so.

Case of the missing earrings

01:43 p.m. – Officer Sharkey – 1900 Gulf of Mexico Drive – I met complainant at her residence, she reported a pair of diamond earrings missing from her home. The earrings are each 1.5 carat round diamond stones set in a white gold, stud type setting. The earrings were last seen in May or June 2009 on her dresser in her main bedroom. She discovered the earrings missing in August 2009 and began searching her residence without finding them. No one of suspicion was in her residence between the time she last saw the earrings and when she found them missing.
She could not provide a value for the earrings.

Forced entry

03:15 p.m. – Officer Sharkey – 700 block, Emerald Harbor Drive – I met with the complainant at his residence. He reported that he and his wife have been out of town since November 22, 2009 and returned home today. He found that person(s) unknown had forced entry to his home and removed some of his property.
I found that three sliding glass doors between the house and pool deck area showed signed of someone using a pry tool to force the doors open. Two of the doors were unlocked. The complainant stated the doors had been locked while he was away.

Jan. 17

To say “I’m sorry”

9:56 p.m. – Office Bourque – 500 block Bay Isles Parkway – I was doing a building check at the Publix Shopping Plaza.  While checking the plaza at the old Mattisons restaurant, I found the listed subject asleep on the wheelchair ramp.  He said he walked to Longboat Key today.  He came from Sarasota.  He came to Florida about two weeks ago from Oklahoma.  He said he came to Longboat Key because he had an appointment too seee a woman some time ago, and he was late.  She was mad, so he came here to apologize.  He was waiting for the library to open so he could email her.  I told him the library would be closed tomorrow.  I also told him he wasn’t aloud to sleep at this location.  A warrant check returned negative.  I gave him a ride to the south side of the New Pass Bridge at his request.

Jan. 21

Domestic dispute

2:14 a.m. – Officer Nagell – Bradenton Beach – Officer Bourque and I responded to Bradenton Beach for a complaint of a Domestic Disturbance in progress.  While en-route dispatch updated us that only one party was now present.  Upon my arrival I observed a broken wood table and a vacuum cleaner lying in the driveway.  The complainant advised that the male party later identified as subject 2 had left the area in a silver van.  I made contact with subject 1 who advised that upon returning home she discovered her husband (subject 2) had been out with a friend.  She advised that she became mad, and an argument ensued.  She stated that she threw the table and vacuum cleaner to the ground from a second story porch.  She advised that there had been no physical contact, and that this was just a marital spat that got a little out of hand.  She stated that she did push her husband out of the way while attempting to make dinner.  She further stated that he left after both parties decided that they did not want to argue any more.

I was unable to locate her husband and advised her that she and her husband should remain separated until such time as they could calmly discuss the issue.  I then spoke with the complainant who confirmed that she did not witness any physical contact between the two parties.

The complainant further advised that this was highly out of character for both parties and they were well respected neighbors.  I advised the on-duty Bradenton Beach officer of the incident and the outcome.  I advised the wife that if her husband returned she should advise Bradenton Beach if he wished to discuss the incident any further.  There were no obvious signs of injury to her and no overt signs of a struggle or argument inside the residence.  Nothing further at this time.

Jan. 23

Ran aground

8:22 a.m. – Office Silverio, Jr. - Longboat Key Pass – The Supperliner vessel “Sir Winston” ran aground coming into Longboat Key Pass.  The vessel operator stated that he called the Longboat Pass bridge tender via the VHF radio asking him about the water depth.  The Captain was told that he had good water coming in.  The vessel now sits on the sandbar west of marker #3.  The coast Guard from Station Cortez, responded to the vessel.  The 7 passengers onboard were safely rescued from the vessel.  They were all transported to Station Cortez.  A breath test was given to the operator.  No signs of impairment were found.  Awaiting the high tide and a salvage company to remove vessel from the shoal. I was advised the salvage company will be out of Cortez.

Jan. 23

Nowhere to go

8:52 p.m. – Office Mislyan – 1600 block, Gulf of Mexico Drive – Met with front desk clerk and security who directed me to below named subject.  She was spoken with at length about her situation (she is homeless) and according to her, she has exhausted all options with friends, family and social services.  She states she is sleeping  between the buildings at night or on the beach.  Her belongings were gathered and her identity verified via Georgia Driver’s License.

Dispatch contacted the Sarasota Salvation Army Center for Hope, and they confirmed availability.  She accepted a ride to the Salvation Army, however, she was free to go once she arrived there and was not forced to check in at the facility.  She indicated to the transporting Officer John Thomas that she had been there before and did not want their services.

Subject issued a writted trespass warning for 1620 Gulf of Mexico Drive and a written warning for violation of Town Ordinance (overnight camping on the beach).

Jan. 24

Trespassing

10:15 p.m. – Officer Morningstar – 100 North Shore Road – Observed the vehicle in the private parking area at the west end of North Shore Road.  Observed the above suspects on the posted “No Trespassing” area near the closed town beach access.

Writer made contact with the suspects and asked them to come back to their vehicle.

Neither suspects had any identification; one was identified by DAVID photo.  Suspects stated they were just taking pictures and didn’t know they were parked on private property.

Suspects were issued trespass warnings for being at the closed beach access and were then released.  The tag is expired and is not registered to the above vehicle;  the vehicle shows a valid tag.  Suspects stated they do not know the person the tag is registered to.  Suspect was on the phone with her mother, who stated she also did not know.

Jan. 24

Bad conduct

8:32 p.m. – Officer Mislyan – 691 Gulf Bay Road – Responded to report of a subject threatening to assault other subjects and chasing them through the park.  Upon arrival, officers separated the parties below and investigated the situation.  That investigation revealed that this was a berbal dispute only over a loud car stereo, and fighting words had been exchanged, but no actual physical altercation.  The one subject that was bleeding had injured himself containing his two pit bull dogs.

The incident started when a group of young people arrived at the dead end of Gulf Bay Road, and entered the back entrance to Durante Park with a loud car stereo.  It was Sunday evening at dusk and the park is scheduled to close at this time.  Area residents say this type of activity is becoming a frequent occurrence on the trails behind their house.  One resident became verbal with the youths, and the youths engaged the subject in hostile words.  The youths are actually the ones who dialed 911 because they were in fear of the subject and his dogs.  At no time did officers see the dogs at large or in the park.

During the investigation, one subject was arrested for Obstruction/Resisting An Officer Without Violence.  He refused to comply with lawful commands and began to physically resist officers at the scene.  He was transported to LKPD for processing and turned over to Manatee Sheriff’s Office for transport to central booking.

Dec. 28
Near miss causes spill

01:26 – Officer Erickson – 2600 block, Harbourside Drive – I contacted the complainant in the Harbourmaster’s office. He stated that he was southbound on the sidewalk on the east side of Harbourside Drive approaching the entrance to the Harbourside Marina. A pickup truck driven by a Sarasota resident, DL # S642-521-68-324-0,  was exiting the parking lot westbound. The complainant thought that he was going to hit the pickup, a 2009 Ford, FL tag # 59885X, so he put on his brakes and fell off of his bicycle. The driver of the pickup stopped and offered help, but the complainant refused. Longboat Key Fire Department responded and bandaged the complainant elbow and knee. He left on his bicycle.

Not my credit card

05:01 p.m. – Officer Erickson – 2000 block, Harbour Links Drive – Complainant stated that she had received a letter from a collection agency, Wagner and Hunt, P.A., Margate, Florida, informing her that her American Express credit card bill for $10,401.12, was 60 days past due. The complainant never has had an American Express card. She called American Express, but they could give her little information because it has been turned over to the collection agency. Wagner and Hunt had her correct social security number, her correct address and a Miami address. She has never lived in Miami. She was advised by American Express to make a police report.

Dec.26

Quiet please!

10:05 p.m. – Officer Thomas – 600 block, Dream Island Road -  I responded to a complaint of a loud party. I met with complainant. She said this is not the first party that has been conducted at that address and asked that we speak with the resident about quieting it down.
I met with the resident and her mother at the location of the party. They were advised of the complaint and asked to keep the party to a quieter noise level so that it did not disturb the neighbors. They agreed to comply with my request.

Jan. 15

Guns drawn on suspects

01:39 a.m. – Officer Bourque – 500 block, Schooner Lane – On 01-15-10 at about 01:39 a.m. Captain Mislyan saw what appeared to be a Ford Taurus northbound on GMD. The car was tailgating and flashing its lights at a car in front of it. The lead card pulled off the road and the possible Ford, now referred to as the suspect vehicle, continued north. Captain Mislyan turned around to investigate further. The suspect vehicle was now a good distance north. Captain Mislyan saw it turn east onto a side street, but he wasn’t sure which street. While checking Schooner Lane, Captain Mislyan saw the suspect vehicle backed into a driveway. He parked his unmarked car several houses west of the suspects. While conducting surveillance Captain Mislyan saw two suspects walk from behind the house and get into their car. At that moment I was arriving on scene in marked unit number 4. The suspects tried to drive off, but I blocked their path with the patrol car. I had the emergency equipment on. Captain Mislyan and I ordered the suspects out of the car (at gun point) one at a time. Unsure of what the suspects were doing, had done or were about to do, both were hand cuffed and detained. The suspects were separated, and read their Miranda Rights. From my past law enforcement experience, I found it alarming that the suspects backed their car into the driveway of an unoccupied home, then got out, and walked around the back of the house. Then I drove toward them they got into their car and tried to leave. They didn’t know who owned the home. They didn’t know that the house, and adjacent homes are private property. They had no fishing gear. They smelled of a strong odor of marijuana.

With the lack of good explanation and the totality of the circumstances I was fearful of the suspects intent, so I placed them under arrest.

After arrest I searched a suspect and in his right front pocket found over one thousand dollars and a plastic baggie containing a misdemeanor amount of marijuana. A presumptive test proved positive for marijuana. Per department policy I called to have the suspect vehicle towed.

An inventory prior to the tow truck, but after the arrest, revealed a marijuana grinder with marijuana inside. Also testing positive. It was located between the two front seats. In the trunk was a black backpack. Inside the backpack was a metal type box. Inside the box was nine bags of marijuana, a scale, another marijuana grinder, two small vials, one blue the other black. Inside the black vial was two pills suspected to be Oxycodone. The box contained numerous empty baggies. Advanced

Towing towed the car for safekeeping. The suspects were transported to LBKPD while the investigation was completed. Other than previously stated no other force was used. The suspects were transported to the Sarasota County Jail. All evidence was placed into locker #16 at the PD.

Suspect number one said he understood his rights but did not want to speak.

Suspect number two said he understood his rights and would speak to us. He told me that he was at the listed location because a friend (who was not with him) told him the house was empty and a good fishing spot.

He and the co-defendant had been out looking for girls around Sarasota and their last top was St. Armands Circle. After St. Armands proved to be no good they decided to check out this fishing spot.

After arrest and inventory of his car, suspected marijuana was found. He said, post Miranda that the marijuana was his that he has to sell marijuana for extra money to live. The two pills found he claimed were oxy codone. He said he doesn’t have a prescription.

Jan. 14

GPS missing

10:21 a.m. – Officer Coffman – 600 block, Lyons Lane – I responded in reference to a theft from a vehicle. Upon arrival I made contact with the complainant who stated that some time during the previous night or early in the morning someone entered his unlocked vehicle and took a Garmin GPS (value $250) from the glove box and the power cord, which was plugged into its power outlet. The vehicle is a 2007 Toyota RAV 4, white in color, with a New Jersey tag. It was parked in the circle drive in front of the residence. There were no visible prints to process.

I never saw those pipes

11:35 a.m. – Officer Martin – The property damaged was a pvc water pipe and a pvc conduit box. The owner of the damaged property is the homeowners association. A vehicle backing into a parking space struck the pipes. The vehicle had an extruding bumper and it struck the pipe that was actually in the grassy area south of the parking lot. Driver of the vehicle said he had never seen the pipes there previously. The pipes only stuck out of the ground approximately 24 inches and the barrier pipe protecting it had already been broken off (some other time). The North Port driver also owns a shutter business. The driver stated that the company would take care of the repairs.

Sparks fly

03:30 p.m. – Officer Quarmby – 600 block, Buttonwood Drive – The complainant was involved in a dispute over an FPL meter and an electrical box that controls lighting for a landscape island in the roadway. He states that when he tried to dig up a hibiscus bush on his property his shovel drew electrical current. He flipped the breakers and locked up the control box to prevent anyone from turning the power back on. He states that he wants to hire an electrical contractor to repair the problem then bill the homeowner association. He wants to make sure the repair is done correctly. The representatives of the association disagree and want the association to hire the electrical contractor. The representatives stated that the complainant is not a member of the association. I heard both parties and after discussing the matter, the parties were unable to come to an agreement over who would hire the repair contractor. Mr. Sapuppo was on scene and confirmed that regardless of who is hired there would be a permit and an inspection that would insure a proper repair to code. Mr. Sapuppo advised both parties that surveys could be obtained from Town Hall to confirm property lines if needed. I made the recommendation to have FPL remove the meter to disable the power supply to prevent tampering or an accident until the repair is made. No further action, this is a civil matter between the complainant and the homeowner association.

To go or not to go…

05:17 p.m. – Officer Mislyan – 5500 block, Gulf of Mexico Drive – I spoke with the juveniles, who are boyfriend and girlfriend. They were having a discussion in Durante Park, which appeared to be a disturbance. The male wanted to leave the park and the female was refusing to do so. Both parties did finally agree to leave together and the male drove his girlfriend home to her Longboat Key address.

Jan. 13

Purse found, resident happy

10:08 p.m. – Officer Thompson – Town Hall Complex – A purse was located at the Bayfront recreation center and was turned over to me. An identification card found inside revealed it may belong to a Longboat resident. I was able to make contact with the resident and she advised she had left the purse. She confirmed her money and property were all there. She took possession of the purse and signed a Property Release Form.

Jan. 12

Panic button signals false alarm

12:10 a.m. – Officer Nagell – 2000 block, Gulf of Mexico Drive – Officer Martin and myself responded to the location for an unknown medical problem. Upon arrival I noted a lock box attached to the door. After ringing the doorbell, and knocking on the door to no avail, dispatch advised of the access code for the lock box. I opened the box, obtained the key and entered the residence. We located the homeowner still asleep in the bed. She advised that she was fine, and did not activate the alarm. It appeared that she was wearing the panic button around her neck and may have accidentally activated it in her sleep. The fire department responded and she refused medical assistance

Jan. 7

A ride to parents’ house

08:54 p.m. – Officer Martin – 6400 block, Gulf of Mexico Drive – I responded to the area regarding a subject sleeping on a bench at the intersection of General Harris and GMD. I made contact with the subject, who was passed out. After waking him he stated that he had been listening to a game on his headphone set and fell asleep. I gave the subject a ride to his parents’ house on Lyons Lane to ensure he got there safely.