Aug. 1
Burglary
1:28 p.m.
Officer Van Dyke responded to the 5900 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive in reference to a burglary attempt. Upon further investigation, the case was updated to a suspicious person call for service. It was determined that no crime occurred. Upon arrival, Officer Van Dyke and Officer Troyer canvassed the property and determined that no forced entry had been attempted. A few moments later, the individuals matching the description from the caller were on scene. They advised that they were land surveyors and they need the dimensions for all coastal properties per EPA guidelines. They handed the officers a business card. Officer Van Dyke called the homeowner and advised her of the results. She was satisfied with the results of the investigation. Case clear.
Marine rescue
6:05 p.m.
Officer Troyer was dispatched to Sarasota Bay for a marine rescue. The complainant called police and reported his pontoon boat was stuck on a sand bar and he ran aground. The caller was unable to get in contact with a towing service as well. Officer Troyer launched the zodiac marine vessel and responded to the caller’s location. Upon his arrival, Officer Troyer observed the area was severely shallow and the tide was very low. Officer Troyer was able to get in contact with the caller and explain his options whereas he could abandon the vessel overnight and wait for the tide to rise or wait with the vessel for the tide to rise. The caller did not wish to wait with the vessel due to nightfall and the tide not rising until approximately 6 a.m. the next day. The caller and his girlfriend agreed they would abandon ship and they needed a ride back to port. The caller was able to secure the vessel for the time being with two anchors. Officer Troyer was able to get close enough for the two to walk to his vessel and board. Officer Troyer provided the two with a courtesy transport to the marina where they launched from. The captain agreed he would call for a towing service to assist him with removing the vessel when the tide rose. Case clear.
Aug. 2
Vehicle
12:11 a.m.
Officer Ericsson responded to North Shore road on a suspicious kayak that was tied up at the caller’s dock. Upon arrival, Officer Ericsson contacted the caller who stated he noticed a kayak with a motor tied up tot he dock behind his grandmother’s house. The man stated he hadn’t been to the residence for over a month and his grandmother is no longer living in the house. He stated he had never seen the kayak before and wasn’t sure if it belonged to a stranger or someone he might know. A check of the hull number through DAVID revealed the owner to be a friend of the family and the caller was familiar with the person. Case clear.
Incident
3:15 p.m.
Officer Pescuma was dispatched to Fair Oaks Lane in reference to a suspicious incident. Upon arriving on scene, Officer Pescuma spoke with the caller who stated she saw a woman at the front entrance of the residence from the front door camera. The caller stated she was not expecting anyone at the residence and was concerned whereas she was out of state. Officer Pescuma canvassed the area and found no signs of forced entry or criminal activity. Upon review of the video and still photos, the woman was wearing a U.S. Post Office shirt and looked to be holding a package or letter. It was confirmed that it was the USPS, whereas a ‘We Missed You’ delivery note was left by the USPS. The caller was satisfied with the findings. Case clear.
Aug. 3
Vehicle
7:57 a.m.
Officer Pescuma while conducting traffic enforcement observed a speeding driver traveling northbound on Gulf of Mexico Drive. Officer Pescuma estimated the driver to be traveling 47 mph in a 35 mph. Officer Pescuma used the radar to determine he was traveling at 48 mph. Officer Pescuma conducted a traffic stop on the Chevrolet pickup truck and made contact with the driver. Officer Pescuma provided the reason for the traffic stop and advised the driver that he was observed doing 48 mph in a 35 mph zone. Officer Pescuma then asked for the operator’s driver’s license in which the driver handed the officer a Guadamalan Passport and stated that he did not have a valid driver’s license nor was ever issued one. Officer Pescuma conducted a FCIC/NCIC check with his name and date of birth which confirmed that he did not have a valid driver’s license nor was ever issued. There was negative results for wants/warrants. The driver stated that he and his family were going to the beach and not driving due to an emergency. Officer Pescuma issued a citation for no valid driver’s license and a citation for unlawful speed. Officer Pescuma advised that the driver could not drive and he made arrangements for transportation. Case clear.
Aug. 4
Marine rescue
3:14 p.m.
Officer Miklos, Officer Tillman and Officer Pescuma were dispatched to the 5600 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive in reference to a marine rescue. Sarasota Sheriff’s Office dispatch advised the caller stated the swimmer was alone in the Gulf and did not know if the man was in distress. Officer Tillman and Officer Miklos arrived on scene and spoke to several people on the beach that did not see anything suspicious or anyone struggling while swimming. Officer Tillman and Officer Miklos observed several swimmers, however, no one was in distress or flagging officers down for assistance. Officer Pescuma and the U.S. Coast Guard conducted a shoreline search with negative sightings. Case clear.
Aug. 6
Person
5:46 a.m.
Officer Smith was dispatched to Bay Isles Parkway for a report of a suspicious person. The caller described the person as a white man sitting outside the gym with his shirt off, and no other information was provided. Officer Smith arrived and observed a man sitting at the table in front of the gym. Officer Smith made contact and he said he had just been on a walk and was taking a break. With no other information provided and no crime being committed. Case clear.
Animal
2:43 p.m.
Officer Pescuma was dispatched to the 400 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive in reference to 4-6 raccoons possibly trapped in a dumpster. Upon arriving on scene, Officer Pescuma observed said raccoons inside the dumpster with the lid propped open by a piece of wood. It is unknown if they are trapped or taking shelter. At 3:12 p.m. Animal Services arrived. All raccoons were retrieved from the dumpster and released without incident. Case clear.
Trespassing
6:46 p.m.
Officer Troyer was dispatched to the 6600 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive in reference to trespassing. The caller said she saw three men fishing on the dock and they were not supposed to be. She said they were construction workers who were there after hours. Upon arrival, Officer Troyer observed the men underneath the fishing dock and appeared to be concealing themselves. Officer Troyer spoke with the men but they did not speak English well. The men did not have identification on them, but verbally identified themselves. Officer Troyer contacted the complainant by phone but she was uncooperative and told the officer she was a board member of the HOA and wanted the persons removed from the property. She did not want to provide Officer Troyer with much information because she felt she may be retaliated against. While on the phone with the complainant, another man arrived and identified himself as an HOA board member and he said that the complainant was not a board member. He said the issue with the workers has been an ongoing issue but the bosses were informed to notify their employees to not have the workers fishing after hours. The men worked for a restoration company and they were contracted to renovate the homes. The board member just wanted the men to leave and have no further contact. In the end, the men left without incident. Case clear.
