The following are actual police reports as written by Longboat Key Police Officers. They are edited for length, punctuation and to protect privacy.
Aug. 9
Fishing
12:44 a.m.
Officer Mathis responded to the 7200 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive in reference to missing fishing poles. Upon his arrival, Officer Mathis met with the complainants who advised that they were fishing from the prohibited fishing area on the center of the drawbridge when they lost two fishing poles. Initially, the complainants suspected someone had stolen their fishing poles that were laying against the guardrail of the bridge hanging over the side. It was undetermined if the fishing poles fell into the water or not. No crime was articulated and neither complainant had descriptions, serial numbers or make of fishing poles that were missing. Neither party wanted to complete a report. Case clear.
Traffic citation
10:33 p.m.
Sgt. Montfort while on patrol observed a vehicle approaching from the rear with an inoperable headlight. Moreover, the vehicle had its high beam activated on the driver’s side of the vehicle. Sgt. Montfort pulled to the shoulder to let the vehicle pass and observed the vehicle was bearing a temporary registration. Sgt. Montfort conducted a traffic stop int eh 1200 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive and made contact with the driver who said she was aware of the headlight being out and then realized her high beams were on and subsequently turned them off. Sgt. Montfort asked her for her license and registration and insurance which she provided. She said she was on her way to work in Bradenton. While in conversation, Sgt. Montfort detected a strong odor of marijuana emanating from the vehicle. Sgt. Montfort inquired if the woman possessed a medical marijuana card to which she said she did not. The driver was asked to exit the vehicle, which she complied. Sgt. Montfort conducted a probable cause search of the vehicle and located a plastic baggie containing a green leafy substance consistent to marijuana. The driver was the sole occupant of the vehicle and the marijuana was located on the passenger side floorboard of the vehicle, next to a bag of clothing and fresh food. Sgt. Montfort conducted a chemical presumptive field test which resulted in a positive test as marijuana. The driver was processed and released int eh field with a notice to appear and a uniformed traffic citation. The driver is scheduled to appear in the Sarasota Court on August 29 at 9 a.m. Case clear.
Aug. 10
Parking
1:48 a.m.
Officer Butler while on patrol observed a car parked in front of a home on North Shore Road, unoccupied with the front driver door open. An FCIC/NCIC check was performed and the vehicle was not reported stolen, abandoned nor was it derelict. Moreover, there was no signs of forced entry and items in the vehicle appeared not to be disturbed. The auto was registered to a rental company and the operator is undetermined at this time. Officer Butler closed and locked the door for safekeeping. Case clear.
Speeding
1:29 p.m.
Sgt. Puccio while on patrol in the 6900 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive observed a vehicle pass northbound with speed reading of 48 mph in a 35 mph zone. At that point, Sgt. Puccio initiated a traffic stop and explained to him the reason for the stop. Sgt. Puccio asked for his driver’s license which he said he did not have one. The driver provided his name and date of birth which was the same as the information on the license plate of the vehicle he was driving and in fact he was the registered owner. At that point, Sgt. Puccio was able to retrieve his Florida driver’s license more than six months and a written warning for unlawful speed. He was provided a Manatee County Court date. He contacted a friend with a valid driver’s license who was en route to pick him and the truck up which was relocated to the parking lot at the corner of Broadway and Gulf of Mexico Drive. The driver was instructed not to drive until he obtained a valid driver’s license. Case clear.
Aug. 12
Remains
1:01 p.m.
Officer Pescuma was dispatched to the 6700 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive in reference to possible human remains found on the beach. Upon arriving on scene, Officer Mescuma met with the complainant who showed Officer Pescuma and Sgt. Butler the bones located on the beach dune. The complainant stated that officers were out last week to investigate. Sgt. Butler cross referenced the police reports and found that the Medical Examiner’s office determined the remains to be not human. Case clear.
Aug. 13
Driver’s license
12:29 p.m.
Officer Pescuma while on patrol, received a hit for a license plate reader camera for an expired driver’s license. Officer Pescuma queried the state link FCIC/NCIC database and confirmed that the registered owners had an expired driver’s license. The vehicle was located and a traffic stop was conducted on a 2014 gray Dodge. Officer Pescuma made contact with the driver and introduced himself and gave him the reason for the traffic stop. Officer Pescuma handed the officer his Florida ID card. The driver stated the registered owner is his mother. Officer Pescuma asked the man if he had a valid driver’s license and he said he did not nor was issued one. Officer Pescuma asked him why he was driving and he said he is working construction on Longboat Key.
Officer Pescuma issued a criminal citation for driving without a license. Case clear.
Aug. 14
Noise
7:33 a.m.
Officer Nazareno was dispatched to DeNarvaez Drive for a noise complaint call regarding construction noise prior to 8 a.m. Upon arrival, Officer Nazareno observed workers at the construction site using power tools and gave them the order to stop. Officer Nazareno made contact with the employee in charge. The employee was issued a written warning for violation of a sound ordinance. Case clear.
Aug. 15
Dogs
9:30 a.m.
Officer Nazareno was dispatched to Golf Link Lane for an animal problem call. Upon his arrival, Officer Nazareno made contact with the complainant who stated that at approximately 9:30 she was walking her dog in the 1000 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive when suddenly a brown dog tried to attack her dog aggressively running toward her dog. She also stated that the owner of the dog at the time was picking up dog litter when the brown dog got away from the owner. The other owner left the scene after checking the dogs for injuries. There were no bite marks or punctures observed on the dog. Animal control was not needed to investigate the incident since no dog bite occurred. The complainant described the other dog owner as a white woman in her 30s with light brown hair, wearing a pink tank top and pink shorts and was last seen walking southbound towards the 700 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive. Officer Nazareno canvased the area from the 700 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive for the other owner but was unable to locate her. Case clear.
Cell phone lights
10:03 p.m.
Officer Martinson was dispatched to the 3200 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive on a call of a suspicious person. Upon arrival, Officer Martinson walked onto the beach and located two young teenage girls walking and playing on their cell phones. Neither girl had a flashlight and they were advised to stay off the cell phones until they’re off the beach because since it is turtle season white lights were not allowed. The girls apologized and agreed to stay off the cell phones. Case clear.
