The following are actual police reports as written by Longboat Key Police Officers. They are edited for length, punctuation and to protect privacy.
July 19
Driver’s license
9:28 a.m.
Officer Pescuma received a target alert service hit for a license plate image captured from the Longboat Key north end site license plate reader camera. The vehicle was traveling southbound and the alert was for a suspended driver’s license. Officer Pescuma asked the FCIC/NCIC database and confirmed that the registered owner driver’s license was suspended indefinitely as of April 15, 2024. The vehicle was located and a traffic stop was conducted on a 2009 white Chevy pickup truck. Officer Pescuma made contact with the driver and introduced himself and told him the reason for the traffic stop. Officer Pescuma advised the driver that his license was suspended and he said, “I knew that it was suspended” and handed the officer a Mexican Passport. Officer Pescuma asked as to why the man was driving and he said he was on his way to work. Officer Pescuma asked if the driver had ever had a Florida driver’s license in which he said he did, but it was taken from a previous suspension. Additionally, the vehicle did not have the insurance on file. The officer issued a criminal citation for driving while license suspended. Additionally, a citation was issued for no insurance on file. Officer Pescuma advised that the driver could not drive and he made arrangements for transportation. Case clear.
Noise
10:16 p.m.
Officer Mathis was dispatched to the 3400 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive in reference to juveniles on the beach. Upon Officer Mathis’ arrival, he met with the complainant who advised that a large group of children belonging to hotel guests were on the beach being loud and obnoxious and possibly disturbing turtles and using white lights. Officer Mathis walked to the beach side of the resort and made contact with a parent. Officer Mathis explained that the kids were on the beach and that he and several other families rent out a good portion of the hotel for their vacation. The man further explained that security seemed to be going overboard and the kids should get to be kids. Officer Mathis kindly explained that this was the second call for police to the location in reference to the kids being disruptive. Officer Mathis further explained to the father that the complainant was concerned that the kids were disturbing the turtles. Officer Mathis then observed the large group of kids using white lights on the beach near the water and told him of the violation and he then called to the group of kids and had them exit the beach. The father advised the kids would not be back on the beach or knocking on doors. Case clear.
Plumbing
11:00 p.m.
Officer Maple while on patrol, was dispatched to Dream Island Road in regard to a plumbing issue at a residence. Upon Officer Maple’s arrival, he met with the complainant who said they were renting an apartment and had experienced a sewage backup issue and water was pouring out of the toilets, shower and tub. Then Officer Maple confirmed that it was a plumbing issue and not a law enforcement issue. The complainant was recommended to contact and emergency plumber and was given several sets of gloves as requested. Case clear.
July 20
Dogs in car
10:10 a.m.
Officer Ramsaier was dispatched to the 5400 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive for an animal rescue. Upon arrival, Officer Ramsier met with the complainant who said she observed a vehicle not running, with three dogs in the car. The windows were open and a fan was blowing inside the vehicle. The dogs appeared to be in good health. The owner was located a short time later, and said she has recently been living out of her car due to financial reasons. The owner advised to bring dogs to a rescue until she gets back on her feet. Case clear.
July 21
Camping
2:44 a.m.
Officer Mathis along with Sgt. Montfort, located a campsite set up in the woods. The campsite included a large, two room tent, trash on the ground and a small area used for the restroom. Sgt. Montfort and Officer Mathis announced Police as they attempted to make contact with individuals inside the tent. A man then exited the tent and was advised that camping was prohibited on Longboat Key. The man identified himself and said he was advised to clean up the area and remove all camping equipment and trash. Sgt. Montfort and Officer Mathis then met the man at his vehicle which had been cited earlier for parking violation. It was explained to the man that camping on Longboat Key is prohibited. The beach access where the man walked past numerous times is clearly posted indicating what activities are prohibited on Longboat Key beaches. The man was then cited and was advised to remove all trash from the campsite as the area before his campsite was established was clean and no trash was present. Case clear.
Found wallet
8:35 a.m.
Sgt. Montfort while on patrol at Greer Island, observed a red wallet in the middle of Gulf of Mexico Drive. Sgt. Montfort took custody of the wallet and returned to the Police Department for processing. Inside the wallet was a state of Wisconsin Driver’s license. Sgt. Montfort was unable to locate the owner of the wallet and was subsequently placed into the evidence for safekeeping. Case clear.
Driver’s license
4:43 p.m.
Officer Ramsaier while on patrol received a target alert notification for a suspended driver’s license and no insurance. An FCIC/NCIC query was conducted and confirmed and Officer Ramsaier conducted a traffic stop. Officer Ramsaier asked the driver for his license, registration and insurance card. The driver replied that he doesn’t have one. The driver was asked by the officer if he had ever had a Florida Driver’s license, to which he said that he did not. The driver said he had an International Driver’s license from Hungary but it had been expired for approximately four years. Officer Ramsaier asked if the driver was aware that he needed a valid driver’s license to operate a motor vehicle and he replied that he did. The registered owner was occupying the passenger seat and it was explained to her that her license had been suspended since May 24. The driver was cited for no Driver’s license, an expired tag and no proof of insurance. Case clear.
July 22
Electrical fire
10:46 a.m.
Officer Nazareno was dispatched to the 1400 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive for a report of an electrical hazard caused by a blown fuse at one of the electric poles. Longboat Key Fire Department called FPL to respond on scene. Upon arrival, Officer Nazareno conducted traffic control until relieved on scene by FPL. Case clear.
July 23
Driver’s license
5:33 p.m.
Officer Miklos while on patrol traveling northbound observed a GMC truck traveling north. He observed the truck to have dark tinted taillights, the driver had used his brakes several times and was unable to see any red light coming from his brake lights through the tint. At this time, Officer Miklos initiated a traffic stop by activating his overhead lights and met with the driver and passenger. The driver didn’t speak any English and the stop was translated by the passenger. The passenger advised the truck was a company vehicle and they were working on installing new lights for the brakes. The driver provided proof of insurance and had to make a phone call to the truck’s owner. Officer Miklos returned to his vehicle and confirmed that the driver didn’t have a valid driver’s license. The passenger provided a valid Illinois driver license and would later drive the vehicle from the traffic stop. The driver was issued a criminal citation for operating a motor vehicle without a driver license and provided a Manatee County Court date. The driver signed and provided his thumb print on the citation. The driver was also issued warnings for defective equipment for the brake lights and not providing proof of insurance. Case clear.
