The following are actual police reports as written by Longboat Key Police Officers. They are edited for length, punctuation and to protect privacy.
Jan. 17
Citizen assist
7:11 a.m.
Officer Ramsaier was dispatched to Fair Oaks Place for a water main break. Upon arrival, Officer Ramsaier observed water pooling in the street, stemming from the front yard. Officer Ramsaier was approached by the complainant who said he called Public Works and they were responding. Officer Ramsaier followed up with Longboat Key Public Works and spoke with the complainant who said a crew was on site.
Suspicious
9:59 a.m.
Officer Van Dyke responded to town hall in reference to a suspicious person. Upon arrival, Officer Van Dyke met with a man who said he was a reporter. He advised that a man with slicked back hair, poor hygiene and a FILA shirt who entered a meeting, caused a verbal disruption and said that he was running for the Mayor of Tampa. The man then left on foot heading westbound. Officer Van Dyke then canvassed the area yielding negative results. Case clear.
Bike
12:44 p.m.
Officer Pescuma was dispatched to the 5700 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive in reference to a suspicious person with an electric bike. Officer Pescuma educated the man of the town ordinance that there are not to be any self-propelled or motorized vehicles on the beach. He was not aware and moved the bike off the beach without incident, Officer Pescuma did not observe the man operating the electric bike on the beach. Case clear.
Jan. 18
Boat
12:00 p.m.
Officer Barrett received a complaint from an anonymous person who said there was a derelict vessel in the canal behind General Harris Road. The complainant also advised of a floating refrigerator, a tree and a piece of dock that were obstructing the canal as well. On Jan. 11, Officer Barrett responded by vessel and observed the derelict vessel and the debris the vessel appeared to have fallen from the boat lift during one of the hurricanes was partially submerged in the water. Officer Barrett attempted to make contact with the resident without success. The vessel had a FWC decal attached, ordering the owner to remove the vessel from the water. In addition to the FWC investigation on the vessel, Officer Barrett contacted code enforcement Officer David Woods. Code enforcement was familiar with the residence and advised that there are liens and fines associated with that residence, regrading the violations. In regard to the debris in the canal someone from Public Works Department was contacted who said she was familiar with the concern and stated that she had contacted Sarasota County to assist in removing the debris. On Saturday, Officer Barrett responded back to General Harris Road. While in the area, Officer Barrett obtained a telephone number for the man who currently lives at the residence in question from a neighbor. Officer Barrett contacted the man and he advised that he had made arrangements to remove the vessel from the canal and would work on it this upcoming week. The man was given Officer Barrett’s contact information and advised to keep him informed on the progress of the vessel. The man was also advised that leaving a derelict vessel in the water could result in a criminal investigation with the FWC and State of Florida.
Vehicle on roadway
12:20 p.m.
Officer Pescuma while on patrol, was flagged down by a man whose vehicle was disabled on the southbound lane of Gulf of Mexico Drive. The vehicle was off the roadway and not obstructing traffic. Upon making contact with the man, he said that he ran out of gas and needed assistance. Officer Pescuma then provided a courtesy transport for the man to the gas station to procure gas can and gas. Upon returning to the man’s vehicle, he was able to get the vehicle running and departed the scene without incident. Case clear.
Dog
7:13 p.m.
Officer Troyer responded to Bayport Way for a report of a loose dog walking around her residence. Upon arrival, Officer Troyer met with the complainant who said her dog was barking at the door and as she looked outside she saw a large brown dog sitting on her front porch. The complainant didn’t know what to do as she was in fear of the dog being loose. Officer Troyer checked the area, but didn’t locate any loose dogs which matched the description. As Officer Troyer was following up with the complainant, the complainant was in contact with the neighbor. The neighbor was holding a brown colored dog which matched the description. The owner said his dog was never loose and was unaware what the complainant was saying. There was no issue and the complainant was happy to meet her neighbor. Case clear.
Jan. 19
Vehicle on roadway
9:52 a.m.
Officer Pescuma was dispatched to the 2100 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive in reference to a disabled vehicle with a flat tire on the southbound lane of Gulf of Mexico Drive off the roadway. Upon arriving on scene, Officer Pescuma met with the owner/operator who was driving a silver Acura SUV traveling southbound on Gulf of Mexico Drive when he succumbed to a flat tire on the left rear. The sidewall of the tire was blown out and the vehicle was deemed not drivable. The driver arranged for a tow through his membership. A roadside vehicle arrived to attempt repairs but identified that the vehicle didn’t have a spare tire and redirected a flatbed tow truck to location. The driver advised that a flatbed tow truck is en route and he is waiting with the vehicle. Vehicle off the roadway and is not obstructing traffic. Case clear.
Jan. 20
Driver’s license
11:00 p.m.
Officer Martinson was notified by the Bay Isles License plate recognition camera that a silver Chevy Silverado was traveling northbound on Gulf of Mexico Drive and the registered owner had a suspended Florida’s license. Officer Martinson located the vehicle and conducted a traffic stop and made contact with the driver and explained why he had been pulled over. The driver stated he knew that his driver’s license had been suspended for failure to pay child support. The driver said he was supposed to be on a payment plan and his driver’s license should no longer be suspended. The driver said he would contact the Manatee County Clerk of Court. The driver was given a criminal citation with a court date for driving with a suspended driver’s license. Case clear.
Jan. 21
Doors
2:14 p.m.
Officer Ericsson was contacted by the complainant regarding an open door. She stated she takes care of the residence at the 7100 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive and when she arrived on this date, she noticed a balcony door open on the west side of the house. She then located Officer Ericsson and asked if he would check for any possible intruders. Officer Ericsson contacted Officer Martinson who responded to the scene and we both cleared the residence with negative results. Officer Ericsson observed the second story balcony French doors were open. There were no signs of forced entry and all first level doors and windows were secure. It appeared the doors opened accidentally. Case clear.
Jan. 22
Vehicle
11:12 a.m.
Officer Pescuma was dispatched to North Shore Road in reference to a white truck with an flag on the beach on Greer Island. Upon arrival, Officer Pescuma observed the vehicle on the beach and identified the vehicle as a white Toyota pickup truck. The vehicle is currently working on the dredge pipeline. The vehicle is required to be present for the dredge operation. No violations were observed. Case clear.
Driver’s license
4:09 p.m.
Officer Pescuma while on patrol observed a blue Dodge pickup truck traveling northbound on Gulf of Mexico Drive with only one operational brake light. The truck was not registered owner based on ELVIS photo image. The driver was asked for his driver’s license, registration and proof of insurance. The driver stated in substance that it is his mother’s vehicle and that he does not have a driver’s license, and handed Officer Pescuma a Florida ID card. FCIC/NCIC confirmed that the driver had a revoked driver’s license as of Feb. 2018 and as of Aug. 2022, was confirmed to be listed as a habitual traffic violator and suspended. The driver said that he had to drive in order to get to work, in which he said that he is a construction worker. Based on the fact pattern, the driver was operating a motor vehicle on a public highway when his driver’s license was suspended. The action was knowingly as so stated by the driver during the initial traffic stop. The driver was taken into custody and transported to Manatee Sheriff’s Office jail. Case clear.
Jan. 23
Truck on roadway
11:00 a.m.
Officer Van Dyke responded to the 6000 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive in reference to illegal parking. Upon arrival, Officer Van Dyke observed a large flat-bed truck parking partially into the bicycle lane and roadway causing a minor obstruction for vehicular traffic both northbound and southbound. As Officer Van Dyke approached the vehicle, a man leaned out of the vehicle and apologized for the obstruction. It should be noted that a significant amount of similar vehicles and major construction are taking place in the general area. Based on the totality of the circumstance, the incident didn’t warrant a formal citation. The vehicle left the area while the officer was on scene. Case clear.
