The following are actual police reports as written by Longboat Key Police Officers. They are edited for length, punctuation and to protect privacy.
Jan. 3
Suspicious person
6:11 p.m.
Officer Mathis was dispatched to 5300 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive in reference to a suspicious person. An elderly woman was at the restaurant asking staff where her family was located. Upon his arrival, Officer Mathis discovered that the elderly woman and her family and left the restaurant. Staff advised they had contacted 911 and then canceled the request and told police everything was fine. Case clear.
Jan. 4
Fire
2:52 a.m.
Officer Mathis responded to Old Compass Road in reference to a transformer on fire and popping. Upon his arrival, Officer Mathis noticed the ground around the transformer was actively arcing and on fire. Longboat Key Fire Department arrived shortly thereafter and advised no further police assistance was needed and FPL was on the way. Case clear.
Theft
12:33 p.m.
Officer Van Dyke responded to the 4600 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive in reference to a theft. Upon further investigation, the case was updated to an Officer’s Assistance call for service. Upon arrival, Officer Van Dyke met with the resident who advised that sometime between Hurricanes Milton/Helene, contractors took items within the residence. It should be noted that renovation contractor was responsible for all ground level renovation work on the property. On Dec. 27, it was discovered that the plastic had been removed from floor cabinets in the main bedroom, and locked cabinets were presumably opened with force. According to the complainant, clothes were strewn about the room, although miscellaneous clothes were stored away in packing cubes, they are now missing. Per the complainant, items missing include 10 pair of shorts, five bathing suits, 10 t-shirts, five collared shirts, one pair jeans, 10 pair underwear, 10 pair socks with an estimated value of $350 and replacement cost of $1,600. According to the General Manager, the contractor had full access to the residences on property including the permission to move whatever is needed in order to restore the drywall and complete the assigned job. The complainant advised that she simply wanted the incident reported. The complainant was told that due to the circumstance, the incident will not be reported as a theft, but rather for documentation purposes. Based on the information, no further investigation is necessary. Case clear.
Marijuana
10:37 p.m.
Officer Troyer while on patrol, observed a gray Hyundai driving northbound in the 400 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive with a defective headlight. Officer Troyer conducted a traffic stop in the 500 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive. Upon speaking with the driver, Officer Troyer smelled the odor of suspected marijuana which emitted from the vehicle as the driver’s side front window was rolled down. Officer Troyer asked the driver if she had any marijuana inside of the vehicle, to which she opened the center console and revealed a partially smoked marijuana cigarette with a green leafy substance inside. The green leafy substance appeared to be consistent with marijuana. Officer Troyer had the woman exit the vehicle and Officer Troyer conducted a probable cause search of the vehicle which revealed another container which contained more loose green leafy substance consistent with marijuana. Officer Troyer also located a metal tin which had two more partially smoked suspected marijuana cigarettes with a green leafy substance inside of them. Officer Troyer also located a white container inside of a white bag which had a THC label on the container. Inside of the container, Officer Troyer located seven yellow gummies, which appeared to be a common substance known as edibles. Officer Troyer also located a black circular container which had a brown substance inside. The label had “Cannabis Oil.” The container appeared to be a THC vape pen. Based on the items located in the vehicle, Officer Troyer detained the driver by placing her into hand restraints. Officer Troyer searched the driver and placed her into the back seat of his Police vehicle. Officer Troyer field tested the green leafy substance which showed a purple color as a results of the field test. This indicated to Officer Troyer and the liquid in the vape pen. The gummies and vape pen were unable to be field tested, therefore they will be sent for further testing to determine THC contents. Officer Troyer estimated between the loose green leafy substance, and the suspected marijuana cigarettes of green leafy substance the driver was in possession of approximately 2.35 grams of suspected marijuana based upon a weight with a field scale completed with Officer Mathis. The complainant also said she didn’t possess a medical marijuana card. Officer Troyer confiscated the following items from the vehicle as a result of probable cause search: container with loose green leafy substance, empty THC container, circular container with seven yellow gummies, suspected marijuana cigarettes, pack containing seven hemp cigarettes, cannabis oil cartridge. Officer Troyer issued the driver an infraction citation for violation of defective headlight. Based on Officer Troyer’s investigation, he found probable cause to issue the driver a notice to appear on a charge of possession of marijuana less than 20 grams.
Jan. 5
Driver’s license
5:42 p.m.
Officer Pescuma while on patrol received a target alert service for a license plate image captured from the license plate reader camera.The vehicle was traveling southbound and the alert was for no insurance on file. Officer Pescuma queried the FCIC/NCIC database and confirmed that the vehicle didn’t have insurance on file. The vehicle was located and a traffic stop was conducted on a 2017 silver Dodge Caravan and made contact with the driver. Offier Pescuma introduced himself and provided the reason for the traffic stop. Officer Pescuma asked the driver for his driver’s license. Registration and current proof of insurance. The driver stated that he could not renew the vehicle insurance and that he is in the process of obtaining his Florida Driver’s License. Officer Pescuma asked the man if he had a valid driver’s license and he stated that he currently does not have a valid driver license. Officer Pescuma asked the driver if he had a valid driver’s license and he stated he currently does not have one nor was issued one. The driver provided him a picture of his Florida ID card. Officer Pescuma asked the driver if he knew that he should not be driving in which he said yes, however, he said he had to commute back and forth for work. The driver said he is conducting work on some of the businesses on Longboat Key. Officer Pescuma issued criminal citation for No Driver’s License, never had one issued. Additionally, a citation was issued for No Proof of Insurance. Officer Pescuma advised the driver that she could not drive and had to make arrangements for transportation. Case clear.
Jan. 6
Motorhome
1:45 a.m.
Officer Troyer while on patrol noticed a suspicious vehicle located at 600 Bay Isles Parkway. Officer Troyer observed the motorhome was jacked up on jacks, which appeared as if the motorhome was in a stationary position. Officer Troyer also observed the motorhome was connected to a town supplied water tap with a garden hose. The motorhome was also connected to town supplied power using an extension cord. Sgt. Montfort, Officer Mathis and Officer Troyer knocked on the door to the motorhome. A man exited the motorhome and officers asked him what he was doing in the park. The man didn’t think this was a problem, but was cooperative and agreed to leave without any issues. The man was informed about the town ordinances against camping and being on town parks after hours. The area was also marked by a sign with the hours. Officer Troyer issued a citation for No Parking of Recreational Vehicles and Trailers. Case clear.
Jan. 7
Found property
9:22 a.m.
Officer Martinson was dispatched to the kayak boat launch at 3400 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive on a call of found property. The complainant said they were standing at the boat launch with her two dogs and showed Officer Martinson where she found a flare gun lying on the ground next to an empty case near the launch. Officer Martinson inspected the flare gun which rusted out and determined him to a flare gun lying on the ground next to an empty case near the launch. Officer Martinson inspected the flare gun which was rusted out and determined it was not loaded. Officer Martinson took custody of the flare gun and case and brough it back to the police station to be inventoried for safekeeping. There doesn’t appear to be any identifiable numbers on the gun and Officer Martinson was unable to determine who it belonged to.
Animal
3:28 p.m.
Officer Miklos was dispatched to Sandhamn Place in reference to an animal problem involving an unknown man walking two dogs in a private neighborhood. Upon arrival, Officer Miklos observed the entrance and exit gates to be open. Officer Miklos came into contact with the complainant who advised the unknown man had left the area and headed north onto Gulf of Mexico Drive. The complainant advised he knew all the residents and their children in the community and did not believe the man belonged in the community. The complainant advised the man was walking his dog in the area. The complainant advised he attempted to speak to the man after one of the dogs defecated in his yard with no success. While conducting a canvas, Officer Miklos was dispatched to a high priority medical call that required the police department to conduct traffic control. Upon completion of the medical call, Officer Miklos was unable to locate any man walking dogs in the area. Case clear.
Jan. 8
Citizen assist
11:58 p.m.
Officer Troyer while on patrol, observed a white BMW with the running lights and parked in the driveway of Emerald Harbor Drive. Officer Troyer shined a spotlight on the vehicle and did not observe any occupants inside the vehicle. Officer Troyer knocked on the front door to the residence and spoke with the homeowner. The homeowner was unaware of his vehicle lights being on, but thankful for the assistance. Case clear.
Jan. 9
Suspicious vehicle
1:44 a.m.
Officer Mathis while on patrol observed a parked car in the parking lot of 5300 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive with its daytime running lights on. Officer Mathis pulled up behind the vehicle and activated his spotlights to illuminate the vehicle. The vehicle was a white Honda Civic. As Officer Mathis exited his marked patrol unit, he observed two subjects sitting in the back seat. The man advised that he and his girlfriend were just enjoying some snuggle time and watching Netflix. Officer Mathis explained to both parties that the businesses at this address were closed and they needed to relocate to a more appropriate location. Both Joseph and Maria were ran through ELVIS, which returned no active wants for either party. Both individuals were sent on their way. Case clear.
Bicycle
8:55 a.m.
Officer Van Dyke responded to Bay Isles Road in reference to a suspicious person. Upon arrival, Officer Van Dyke observed a man sleeping within a sleeping bag, hidden between ferns and foliage beside a red bicycle. The subject appeared to wake up as Officer Van Dyke approached, therefore he asked the man for his identification. Officer Van Dyke was provided an Ohio identification card. Per NCIC/FCIC confirmed via dispatch, that the subject has an active warrant out of Ohio and had possession of a controlled subjstance but not extraditable. The man advised that he was heading for Sarasota and Officer Van Dyke educated him on the geography and pointed him in the proper direction for his destination. The driver advised that his final destination is the east coast of Florida, therefore the subject isn’t expected to return. The subject left the area on his bicycle heading southbound while he was still on the scene. It should be noted that the man was cooperative throughout the investigation. Case clear.
Suspicious boat
7:53 p.m.
Sgt. Montfort made contact with a complainant at the Linley Street Boat Ramp in reference to his vessel which has been without an anchor light at anchorage. The man said that his vessel’s anchor light must have been malfunctioning. Sgt. Montfort informed the man he observed his vessel on several occasions at night to not be lit at anchorage. Sgt. Montfort informed the man he was going to be issued a boating citation in violation of insufficient equipment. Moreover, the man stated his vessel is not able to power itself as he is having a fuel issue with his diesel motor. The marine unit with follow up in the near future to determine if the vessel is at risk of becoming derelict. Case clear.
