The following are actual police reports as written by Longboat Key Police Officers. They are edited for length, punctuation and to protect privacy.
June 20
Suspicious incident
10:36 a.m.
Officer Troyer was dispatched to the 3700 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive on a report of a suspicious incident. Upon arrival, Officer Troyer met with the complainant who report4ed that $324 worth of ammunition was set to arrive and did not arrive. The complainant showed the officer the UPS delivery sheet which showed the package was delivered at 10:36 a.m., but the complainant was home and did not receive the package. While at the residence, one of the complainant’s neighbors knocked on the door and informed the complainant he had a package at the clubhouse. The officer and the complainant walked over to the clubhouse and he identified the package and contents as his. Case clear.
Suspicious incident
6:39 p.m.
Officer Pescuma was dispatched to the 2300 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive in reference to a scam phone call. Upon arriving on scene, Officer Pescuma spoke with the caller who stated that he received a suspicious phone call from an unknown man stemming from a phone app. The man stated that he was a police officer who pulled over a friend of his and that they will be arrested if he did not pay the fine. This was an isolated call in attempt to retrieve money. Officer Pescuma advised the man that a real police officer would not do that and it was clearly a scam. The man stated he did not provide any personal information nor provided the caller with any money. Officer Pescuma educated the man on scam phone calls and provided additional examples of phone scams. Case clear.
June 21
Suspicious
6:22 p.m.
Officer Van Dyke responded to 4000 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive in reference to a traffic crash which ultimately became a suspicious incident. After canvassing the area for traffic crash yielding negative results, the complainant approached Officer Van Dyke from the dog park and stated that she was wrong about a traffic crash occurring. She said that the subjects may have been arguing, but they left the scene without incident. The complainant didn’t wish to meet but felt obligated to update the officer of the situation upon observing Officer Van Dyke canvassing for a potential traffic crash. Case clear.
June 22
Illegal parking
3:12 p.m.
Officer Troyer while on marine patrol observed a vessel parked inside of the vessel exclusionary zone located on the east side of Greer Island. Officer Troyer observed a vessel parked inside of the vessel exclusionary one located on the east side of Greer Island. Officer Troyer observed the vessel was beached inside of the exclusionary zone and inside of both ends of the zone. The area was marked by signs on the beach and buoys placed in the water. Officer Troyer made contact with the vessel operator who identified himself and said he knew he shouldn’t have been parked there and stated he didn’t plan on being parked before Officer Troyer would come around to check. Officer Troyer found probable cause to issue the man a civil citation for violating town ordinance regarding a vessel exclusionary zone. Case clear.
Citizen assist
4:28 p.m.
Officer Mathis was dispatched in reference to an Officer Assist. The complainant had requested assistance due to his vehicle malfunctioning while turned off. The complainant explained that the seats were moving and the wipers were operating without the truck being turned on. Upon Officer Mathis’ arrival, he met with the complainant and observed the vehicle’s electronics operating while turned off, seat moving, dash lights on, and wipers running. It appeared that vehicle that had an electrical issue. Officer Mathis advise the man to contact his local mechanic to sort out any issues and that the Police Department was unable to assist him in working on the vehicle.
June 23
Civil disturbance
12:00 p.m.
Officer Nazareno was dispatched to the 2500 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive for a civil disturbance call. Upon arrival, Officer Nazareno made contact with the complainant who stated that an applicant whom she interviewed for the maintenance position and made numerous phone calls on June 23 inquiring if he got the position. The complainant further stated that he was told that they were still in the process of interviewing other applicants. At approximately 12 p.m. the applicant left an angry message saying that “You can shove that job up your ass, I hope you die of a heart attack.” No threats of bodily harm were made by the applicant. Officer Nazareno attempted to contact the applicant’s cell phone number and left a detailed message. The complainant was given the case number and advised to call 911 if the applicant returns to the property. Case clear.
Mailbox
12:00 p.m.
Officer Nazareno was dispatched for a lost property report. Upon arrival, Officer Nazareno made contact with the complainant who stated that he wanted to report his mailbox missing from his vacant property next door. The complainant further stated that he last saw the mailbox intact the day before at noon. He also added that there were construction vehicles constantly traveling on his street using his driveway to turn around and one of the trucks had previously struck his mailbox. The complainant didn’t see any construction trucks hitting the mailbox. The pole for the mailbox was bent and the mailbox was missing. Officer Nazareno was unable to locate any security cameras on the property. The complainant was given the case number. Case clear.
June 25
Aircraft
8:39 a.m.
Officer Nazareno was dispatched to Hideaway Bay Drive for a suspicious aircraft call regarding a red helicopter flying low in the area. Prior to the call, Officer Nazareno received a message from dispatch that Manatee Sheriff’s Office will be conducting swift water rescue training in the area of Longboat Pass Bridge. Upon arrival, the helicopter was no longer flying in the area. Case clear.
Marine rescue
12:25 p.m.
Officer Mathis was conducting a marine patrol in the area of Greer Island and Jewfish Ikey when he observed a man swimming who appeared to be in distress. Officer Mathis maneuvered his patrol vessel to protect the swimmer from boating traffic. The man advised he was exhausted as the officer pulled him onto the patrol boat. The man explained that the current was too strong and had swept him from the sandbar at Jewfish Key. The man refused medical attention and advised he just needed to sit and rest for a few minutes. After a brief period of rest and speaking with the man, Officer Mathis returned him to his vessel which was anchored at the Jewfish Key sandbar. Officer Mathis asked the man again if he wished to be checked out and he politely declined the offer and advised he was fine just exhausted. Case clear.
Trespassing
8:41 p.m.
Officer Martinson was dispatched to the 3300 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive for a call of Trespass. Dispatch reported that there was a woman approximately 50 years old wearing a white shirt and blue pants with a small dog on a leash sitting on the sea wall and loitering. Upon arrival, Officer Martinson observed a woman matching the description walking with a small dog southbound along Gulf of Mexico Drive on the sidewalk. Officer Martinson pulled over and spoke with the woman who said she lives on Buttonwood Drive and had walked over with her dog to watch the sunset. Officer Martinson advised the woman she was on private property and residents do not want her on their property. She said she would find somewhere to watch sunsets from now on. Case clear.
