The following are actual police reports as written by Longboat Key Police Officers. They are edited for length, punctuation and to protect privacy.
Aug. 22
Fire
11:00 p.m.
Sgt. Montfort responded to the 1600 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive and a transformer explosion occurred causing a small brush fire along the sidewalk. Moreover, powerlines were down, on fire and sparking in the area. While on the scene additional pole mounted fuses had blown starting several small brush fires. The fire department arrived on scene and Gulf of Mexico Drive was shut down for a brief period of time. Scene turned over to Florida Power and Light. Case clear.
Aug. 23
Driver’s license
8:33 p.m.
Officer Martinson while on patrol observed a blue Ford Escape traveling southbound on Gulf of Mexico Drive without any tail lights on. Officer Marinson conducted a traffic stop in the 1900 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive. Officer Martinson made contact with the man who was identified via his Columbian passport and explained to him why he was pulled over. When Officer Martinson asked for his driver’s license he said he did not have one. The driver was given a criminal citation with a court date. The man parked the vehicle in the Publix parking lot and called a friend with a valid driver’s license to come and drive the car. Case clear.
Aug. 24
Business check
3:11 p.m.
Officer Nazareno was dispatched to the 1900 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive for a suspicious incident call. The owner of the residence was contacted the condominium employee who was conducting a property check and said that she thought that she heard the washer turned on when she entered the unit. The owner/keyholder told the woman that no one is authorized to being the unit and called 911. Upon arrival, patrol units were met by the woman who had the key to enter the unit. Upon entering the unit, the officers cleared all rooms and determined that the sound she heard was of the air conditioning unit. No signs of attempted forced entry were observed and nothing was out of place. Officer Nazareno also made contact with the caller and the key holder and advised him of his findings. Case clear.
Aug. 25
Tire assistance
12:55 p.m.
Officer Miklos while on patrol was approached by a man needing help in regard to a flat tire. Officer Miklos met with the man in the parking lot of the post office and advised him that he could not change his tire per Longboat Key Police Department policy. Officer Miklos assisted the man with calling for roadside assistance via his AAA membership. The man was given an estimated time arrival of 3:36 p.m. Due to the long wait Officer Miklos provided the man a courtesy escort to Publix to wait for AAA inside. Case clear.
Aug. 26
Dog on beach
5:43 a.m.
While on marine patrol in the area of Greer Island, Sgt. Montfort observed a dog on the beach on the northern tip of the island. Sgt. Montfort maneuvered his patrol vessel into the shallow area and made contact with the woman holding the leash. The woman said that the dog was a legitimate service animal and not for emotional support. Sgt. Montfort was unable to obtain pedigree information due to the sea conditions and location of the subject. Case clear.
Aug. 27
Noise
10:29 a.m.
Officer Miklos was dispatched to Buttonwood Drive in reference to a noise complaint. Sarasota Sheriff’s Office Dispatch advised that the complainant said loud music had been coming from his neighbor’s house for the last 90 minutes. While in route, Sarasota Sheriff’s Office Dispatch advised of another complaint who said the music had been on for 90 minutes as well. Upon arrival, Officer Miklos did not hear any loud music coming from the property. Officer Miklos came into contact with the property owner who advised she was having someone work on her boat’s sound system. The owner advised the worker had to turn on the music for a few seconds to make sure everything was working as needed. While speaking with the owner she advised that the complainant was on her property while talking to her worker. The owner advised she did not want to complete a trespass warning due to her being in a rush to a doctor’s appointment. Officer Miklos made contact with the worker who did not want to provide any information, however, stated he was done working on the boat. The worker advised he was about to leave the property and that no more music would be playing. Case clear.
Found wallet
3:18 p.m.
A resident entered the police department to turn in a wallet with driver’s license and credit cards and cash, he advised he had just found it at the 4400 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive. Officer Zunz called the owner of the wallet through a telephone number, Officer Zunz obtained through resources and the owner immediately asked if the police had recovered his wallet that he lost yesterday. Officer Zunz confirmed that the police do in fact have his wallet and he advised he will stop in at some point tomorrow to retrieve it. Sgt. Butler confirmed $14 in U.S. currency was found inside the wallet, which has been place along with the remaining contents into a temporary locker for safe-keeping. Case clear.
Aug. 28
Beach
9:26 a.m.
Officer Miklos and Officer Nazareno were dispatched to the 4700 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive in reference to a bone found on the beach. Upon arrival, Officer Miklos came into contact with the complainant who stated he was walking on the beach in front of the 4700 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive when he saw a small bone, possibly a joint, laying in the sand. Officer Miklos contacted the Medical Examiner’s Office and sent pictures to the physician. The physician advised the bones were not human remains. A picture of the bone was attached to the report and the bone was disposed of in the garbage can near the pool. Case clear.
Marine rescue
4:36 p.m.
Officer Miklos was dispatched to Evergreen Way in reference to a marine rescue. Sarasota Sheriff’s Office Dispatch advised via CAD notes that the caller stated her friends have not returned to the residence following a kayak trip. The caller advised she is concerned about the two because they do not have their cell phones and the heavy thunderstorm in the area. The caller said the two were both in their 30s. After being dispatched to the call, Officer Miklos conducted a check of the Linley Street boat ramp and did not observe any kayakers. Officer Miklos contacted the CARR and requested further information regarding the missing kayakers. The caller advised the two kayakers launched from near her residence on Everygreen Way and were traveling northbound and confirmed the kayakers had life jackets on. At this time, the Longboat Key Fire Department, U.S. Coast Guard and Manatee Sheriff’s Office were advised of the missing kayakers. Manatee Sheriff’s Office advised they would not launch a boat for overdue swimmers. Officer Miklos continued to check the areas including North Shore Road and the South Coquina Beach boat ramps in Bradenton Beach. Officer Miklos did not observe any kayakers or anyone in distress. Longboat Key Fire department advised they could not launch the boat due to the lightning in the area and were holding off until the storm passes. While typing a BOLO, Officer Miklos was told by the caller that she thought she saw kayakers traveling south in the distance. The two kayakers arrived back at the residence unharmed. Officer Miklos advised Sarasota Sheriff’s Office dispatch to cancel the units that were searching for the kayakers. Case clear.
