The following are actual police reports as written by Longboat Key Police Officers. They are edited for length, punctuation and to protect privacy.
June 28
Boat
10:50 a.m.
Officer Barrett received information from a concerned citizen that two people were planning to engage in a physical altercation at Sister Keys sand bar at 12 noon on June 29. Officer Barrett located the one man on his boat just north of Jewfish Key. Officer Barret asked the man about his involvement in the upcoming altercation. The man advised that he and the other man have been involved in a verbal altercation for the last few weeks over the other man operating at a high rate of speed too close to his boat. He said that this occurred within the City of Bradenton Beach. The man further said that he has not seen the man in a few days and that he is not planning on escalating or continuing this matter and would not engage in an altercation at Sister Keys. Officer Barret then contacted via telephone the other man. The other man advised that the man accused him of driving too fast next to his boat which started an argument so he has been avoiding the man. They both said they were not going to respond to Sister Keys and that he was not going to engage in an altercation with the man. Officer Barret then made contact with Bradenton Beach Police and shared the information with them. Case clear.
June 29
Intruder
1:59 a.m.
Officer Nazareno was dispatched to Mistletoe Lane for a suspicious incident call. Upon arrival, Officer Nazareno made contact with the caller who advised that she had a vivid dream and that there was an intruder in her house. The caller and her grandson checked the residence prior to the officer’s arrival. No signs of forced entry were reported or observed. Case clear.
Citizen assist
12:41 p.m.
Officer Tillman was dispatched to Emerald Harbour for a complainant who called and said that she had no water to the residence since returning after a couple of months. It was determined that the handyman had turned off the water. Water was restored. Case clear.
Disabled vessel
4:05 p.m.
Officer Barrett while on marine patrol, observed a disabled boat in the narrow portion of the intracoastal waterway just west of Jewfish Key. Officer Barrett approached the vessel and towed it out of the channel to safe waters. Officer Barrett then transported the woman who was not feeling well and two other passengers to the restaurant. The man, the captain and the remaining passengers stayed on the boat and contacted a towing company for assistance.
Boats
3:15 p.m.
Officer Barrett while on marine patrol, observed two men in separate pontoon boats beached inside the boat exclusionary zone at Greer Island. Both men said that they entered the zone to seek shelter from a storm, however numerous people were enjoying the beach in front of their boats. Both men were cited. Case clear.
June 30
Traffic citation
9:55 a.m.
Officer Martinson responded to Bay Isles Parkway which was traveling northbound on Gulf of Mexico Drive and the registered owner had an expired Florida driver’s license. Officer Martinson located the vehicle in the 5000 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive. Officer Martinson activated the squad car’s emergency lights and got behind the vehicle in the 5400 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive. The vehicle was not pulling over so Officer Martinson activated the squad car’s siren three separate times in short bursts. The vehicle appeared to be pulling over in the 5600 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive but then swerved back into the northbound lane and continued driving. Officer Martinson then activated the siren again and followed the vehicle until it finally pulled over. Officer Martinson made contact with the woman who was identified by her Brazilian passport and she admitted to not having a valid driver’s license. She was given a criminal citation with a court date. She was allowed to park her vehicle on the easement until her friend with a valid driver’s license. Case clear.
July 1
Construction
10:11 a.m.
Officer Pescuma was dispatched to Rountree Drive in reference to a civil disturbance involving construction on the complainant’s property. Upon arriving on scene, Officer Pescuma was greeted by the complainant in the driveway of Rountree Drive. The man stated that the construction taking place next door is encroaching over his property line. Officer Pescuma observed a contracting company tearing up a seawall. The man stated that the company is tearing up his seawall on his property. Officer Pescuma viewed the permit with the survey and property dimensions, however the property owner believes that their survey is incorrect and that they are encroaching on his property and seawall. Officer Pescuma advised the man that this is a civil matter and to call the company to advise them of your concerns and to obtain an updated property survey. Officer Pescuma witnessed the man call the company and they advised that the construction will stop until they can confirm the property lines. Case clear.
Handicapped parking
7:33 p.m.
Sgt. Montfort while on patrol on North Shore Road, observed a Honda motorcycle parked in front of the handicapped parking sign. Sgt. Montfort exited his patrol vehicle to look at the rear license plate for a handicap designation. Sgt. Montfort did not observe any license plate attached and subsequently wrote down the VIN number. The number was run through FCIC/NCIC with negative results for being stolen. The motorcycle had a Florida license plate and Sgt. Montfort issued a parking citation for the handicapped parking violation. Sgt. Montfort then departed the area to check Broadway Street. After a short period of time, Sgt. Montfort returned to North Shore Road and observed a Hispanic man on the motorcycle attempting to leave. Once the man observed the officer’s presence, he attempted to place the motorcycle in gear and revved the motor to leave. Sgt. Montfort hastily exited his patrol vehicle and removed the keys from the motorcycle. The man was identified and was run through the FCIC/NCIC which returned as a valid ID card only. The man was advised not to operate the motorcycle and make arrangements for removal. Sgt. Montfort advised the man that operating without a license in the state of Florida is a criminal offense. Case clear.
July 2
Found phone
10:05 a.m.
Officer Zunz stopped in at Bradenton Beach Police to pick up the mail that had been left with them by Manatee Sheriff’s Office. The front desk administrator at Bradenton Beach Police Department and they handed him a black iPhone housed in a green Otterbox case, which she said had been turned into their department by someone who advised they’d found it on the beach in our jurisdiction at Longboat Key. Checking the lock screen on the iPhone, Officer Zunz noted various messages from a particular correspondent written throughout the past 24 hours. Officer Zunz called the cell number from the police telephone and asked the individual to contact the owner of the iPhone and advise that they are holding his phone. She would only offer the owner’s name and she has no way of contacting him other than via his lost cellphone. The phone has been placed into a temporary locker. Case clear.
Suspicious person
11:21 p.m.
Officer Ramsaier was dispatched to 3100 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive for a call of suspicious person. The complainant stated he observed several people walking on the beach wearing lights on their head. Officer Ramsaier along with Officer Ferrigine observed four individuals on the beach, which is where the vehicle was parked after hours at the beach access point. Officer Ramsaier and Officer Ferrigine made contact with the four individuals who said they were looking for crabs. Officer Ramsaier advised them that the beach is closed after 11 p.m. and escorted them off the beach. The parking citation was issued for parking violation after hours. Case clear.
July 3
Citizen assist
12:15 p.m.
Officer Miklos was dispatched to Harbourside Drive in reference to a civil disturbance. Upon arrival, Officer Miklos came into contact with the complainant who advised that she had a company come to her residence to fix a water leak. The complainant advised that the south security gate of Bay Isles had denied the company access to the community. The complainant advised that she had her vehicle open the gate and allowed the company to follow in behind her. The complainant was advised that she had her vehicle open the gate and allowed the company to follow in behind her. The complainant was advised that Officer Miklos could not tell a private company to allow access to the community. The complainant requested that Officer Miklos call the management company for her. Officer Miklos advised the man that he could not speak to the management for her in the civil matter. Case clear.
July 4
Water assist
5:02 p.m.
Sgt. Montfort while on marine patrol in the area of Greer Island, observed a man 150 yards offshore with a float. Officer Mathis and Sgt. Montfort proceeded to the area and greeted the man who stated he attempted to swim to the offshore sandbar but became fatigued. Officer Mathis and Sgt. Montfort assisted the man into our patrol vessel. He said he didn’t need medical treatment and was provided a courtesy ride back to the shore. Sgt. Montfort beached his patrol vessel and the man was assisted back onto shore. Officer Mathis and Sgt. Montfort were unable to secure the man’s information due to the surf and tide water change. Case clear.
