Dec. 26
Citizen assist
11:02 a.m.
Officer Maple was dispatched to the 2000 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive for a public service all. The call was in regards to a ruptured water main. Upon his arrival, Officer Maple located the ruptured water main that the plumbing company had accidentally punctured a main line prior to meter. Officer Maple contacted Public Works who stated he would get someone out to shut off the water main. No further law enforcement actions required. Case clear.
Animal
3:13 p.m.
Officer Maple was dispatched to the 3700 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive for an animal call. The call was in reference to a person walking a large tan dog on the beach unleashed. While en route, Officer Maple observed a woman in black clothing walking southbound on Gulf of Mexico Drive at the 3600 block with a large tan golden doodle dog. Officer Maple spoke to the individual who admitted to being on the beach with the dig but was unaware of the rules. The woman was given a written warning and she departed the area without incident. Case clear.
Citizen assist
5:18 p.m.
Sgt. Smith responded to a crash notification in the 600 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive. Upon arrival, officers observed two adult males on the side of the roadway attempting to locate a cell phone that had fallen from their vehicle. No crash damage or injuries were observed at the time of contact. Case clear.
Dec. 27
Agency assist
7:16 p.m.
Officer Martinson was dispatched to the 5200 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive on a call of an assist other agency for an unattended bonfire on the beach. Longboat Key responded to the scene and no police service was needed. Case clear.
Dec. 28
Vehicle
1:15 a.m.
Officer Miklos was dispatched to Bay Isles Parkway in reference to someone camping overnight in a truck with an attached camper. Sarasota Sheriff’s Office advised the caller was the cleaning person for the property and didn’t wish to meet with police. Upon arrival, Officer Miklos observed the truck with attached camper in the parking lot. The camper had a generator attached which was not powered on and a towel drying outside. Officer Miklos made contact with the owner who advised he was unaware that he was not allowed to camp overnight. The man and the vehicle were searched through NCIC for wants and warrants which returned with negative results. The man advised he would relocate his vehicle off of Longboat Key. Case clear.
Employee
8:22 p.m.
Officer Miklos and Officer Martinson were dispatched to the 5600 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive for a disturbance. Sarasota Sheriff’s Office Dispatch advised that the caller sounded intoxicated and said that the “boss took my keys” and then hung up. Upon arrival, Officer Martinson spoke to the restaurant owner who stated an employee was sent home from work due to being intoxicated. The owner advised the employee attempted to get into his vehicle and he took his keys away to prevent him from driving. Officer Martinson retrieved the vehicle key from the owner and ordered the employee an Uber which arrived a short time later. The employee left the incident in the Uber and will return on Dec. 29 to retrieve his vehicle when he is sober. Case clear.
Dec. 29
Property
12:00 p.m.
Officer Van Dyke responded to the 1000 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive in reference to property damage. Upon arrival, Officer Van Dyke met with the caller who advised that his paddleboard was discovered to be damaged. The incident occurred approximately two weeks ago during an unknown timeframe. There is a small crevice near the dumpsters that contains a paddleboard rack along with several other paddleboards. The caller advised that no video footage is available, the HOA isn’t cooperating and it’s not unusual for contractors to be int he area of the paddleboards. The paddleboard is a white 7-foot SUP. Officer Van Dyke observed several large dimples along the bottom of the paddleboard, but it appears to be heavy items such as bricks placed on top of the paddleboard. The incident doesn’t appear to be a crime and the owner merely requested a report for documentation purposes. Case clear.
Dec. 30
Vehicle
12:16 p.m.
Officer Pescuma received license plate alert for a suspended/revoked driver’s license. Officer Pescuma queried the FCIC/NCIC database and confirmed that the registered owner’s driver’s license was suspended on Aug. 9, 2024. The vehicle and trailer was located and a traffic stop was conducted on a black GMC truck. Officer Pescuma made contact with the driver and introduced himself and provided the reason for the traffic stop. Officer Pescuma advised the driver that the registered owner did not have a valid driver’s license. While investigating, the driver stated, “I do not want to go to jail,” I asked why and he stated he does not have a driver’s license and produced a copy of his Mexico passport. Officer Pescuma located the driver’s information in DAVID which shows that he does not have a valid driver’s license and was never issued one. Officer Pescuma then asked the driver for his license, vehicle registrationa nd current proof of insurance. The driver showed Officer Pescuma a copy of his passport. Officer Pescuma asked why he was driving and the driver stated he was working on Longboat Key. Officer Pescuma issued a criminal citation for no valid driver’s license. Case clear.
Missing property
6:00 p.m.
Officer Tillman responded to Fair Oaks Lane for a stolen kayak. The complainant called to report their kayak had floated away from their dock. Upon arrival, the complainant stated that the kayak was last seen on their dock yesterday around 5 p.m. The complainant stated that the kayak has a history of floating away and wanted to report it, in case it was found. The kayak is described as being blue/green and an 8-foot single seat. No serial numbers or any significant characteristics other than a lot of scratches on the bottom from the oyster beds. Case clear.
Jan. 1
Landscaping
4:36 p.m.
Officer Martinson was dispatched to Hibiscus Way on a call of a disturbance. Upon arrival, Officer Tillman was met by the complainant standing outside along the street next to a green Toyota SUV loading tree debris into a trailer. The man stated he owns his own tree removal/landscaping business and he was contacted by the resident of Hibiscus to trim a coconut palm. The man stated when he arrived this morning the female homeowner started yelling at him for being late. The man stated he told the woman that they had never agreed upon a start time plus he was having trouble finding someone to help him since it was the holiday. The man stated that when the woman continued to argue with him he decided the job was not worth the trouble and told the woman he would not cut her palm. The man stated he had work to do at another house on the block so he went to work there. The man stated later the woman’s husband came outside to confront him and a heated argument ensued. Officer Martinson then spoke to the man who gave a similar version of events but stated he had spoken rudely to his wife about not taking the job to cut the palm tree so he went outside to confront him about his behavior. The man said he got into a verbal argument with the woman and his employee but nothing physical had happened. The man stated he walked away and called 911 before the situation got worse. The man advised he was done working and was going to leave the island. Officer Martinson also advised the man that in the future there is no tree cutting allowed on holidays. Case clear.
