Cops Corner 12.17.09

Dec. 5
You’re on candid camera
8:55 p.m. — 5200 block of Avenida Navarra. Criminal Mischief. A woman reported that a group of teenagers broke her second-floor apartment window. She said just before the glass shattered, she heard the voices of several teens. A deputy found a broken tree limb that he suspects was used to break the glass. A nearby convenience-store clerk told the deputy that four teens showed up in his store shortly after the window was broken and appeared to be hiding. They were captured on surveillance camera.

Dec. 6
Deflated feeling
9:01 p.m. — 700 block of Beach Road. Criminal Mischief. The complainant parks his pizza shop’s van in the public-parking spaces at Siesta Key Beach, because it attracts business. One of his employees went to pick up the van and saw a middle-aged man hunched over one of the van’s tires. When the man saw the employee, he ran toward a nearby condo building. The employee discovered the tires had been punctured. The complainant said he’d been having trouble with some of the older condo owners, who didn’t like the van being parked at the beach.

Dec. 7
A Grinch stole Christmas
9 p.m. — Tatum Road and Castle Road. Theft. Someone stole a homeowners association’s Christmas decorations. A wreath and Christmas lights were taken from the entrance to the development. The prime suspect is described as green, furry and driving a sleigh pulled by a small dog.

Dec. 8
Attorney-client privilege
8 a.m. — 1800 block of Second Street. Threat. An attorney said a former client called him and said, “I’m going to &$%!* get you. I’m going to break your %#$@* legs. I’m going to kill you.” An officer called the client, who denied making the threats. He was told not to call the attorney again.

Mom, you’re embarrassing me
8:07 a.m. — 400 block of Belvidere Road. Threatening Phone Calls. A tanning-salon owner said the mother of one of her employees has been threatening her, because the mom thinks her son is underpaid. When the salon owner hung up with the mother, the boy’s mom called again and left a voicemail message that said she would wrap her hands around the owner’s throat and called her a “no good Yankee.” Mom also said that her husband was going to beat up the business owner’s husband. According to the police report, she has a tattoo that reads “Bob’s Babe.”

Dec. 9
‘I’ve had a little bit’
12:50 a.m. — Vamo Road and South Tamiami Trail. Driving Under the Influence. A deputy saw a driver swerving on the road, almost hitting the curb. The deputy drove past him and stopped at the next traffic light. The driver appeared as if he wasn’t going to stop and had to slam on his brakes to avoid hitting the deputy. He was pulled over at that point. The deputy said the man’s speech was slurred and smelled of alcohol. The man struggled to get out of the car and staggered while walking. He walked off the road and relieved himself despite being asked to wait. Asked how much he had to drink, the driver first replied, “Enough.” Then he said, “I’ve had a little bit.” He followed that up with, “I’m drunk.” The deputy didn’t have to administer any field sobriety tests.

Dec. 9
A little out of reach
12:37 a.m. — Bahia Vista Street and Tuttle Avenue. Suspicious Person. A man with a cloth over his face was seen reaching out to passing cars.