Cops Corner

April 4
Money laundering
11 a.m. — 100 block of Columbus Boulevard. Grand Theft. A visitor checked out of his motel room and saw a housekeeper go in right after him. A short time later, he realized that he left behind a pair of boxer shorts. A wad of cash and checks were wrapped in the underwear. When he returned to the room, the boxers, $660 in cash and $1,070 in checks made out to the victim were gone. The housekeeper denied taking the money.

April 5
Shopping spree
9 a.m. — 1900 block of Fruitville Road. Fraudulent Use of a Credit Card. A woman discovered four unknown charges on her credit card and called police. She said the charges included $39.18 at a Denny’s restaurant, $200 at Home Depot, $211.21 at Sports Authority and $190.30 at Publix. The woman told officers she only uses that card at the drug store. She suspects someone may have seen her card number at the store and used it elsewhere.

Repeated threats
2:55 p.m. — 2000 block of Main Street. Harassing Phone Calls. A businessman reported that one of his associates is leaving harassing telephone and text messages and is also threatening him in person. The man said the associate is upset about an investment and wants his money back.
The man said the associate walked into his office and said, “I am going to hell, and I’m taking you with me.” He even said that some time ago the associate broke into his home and knocked on his bedroom door, while carrying a gun.

April 6
Everything plus the kitchen sink
Noon — 2900 block of Hillview Street. Burglary. When a couple who is renovating a home returned to the site, they noticed a few things were missing. It didn’t appear that anyone broke in, and the couple suspects that the previous owner still has a key and may have stolen the items. Taken from the property were a window screen, two extension cords, a garbage disposal, faucet, exhaust vent and, yes, the kitchen sink.

Hell’s angel
2:10 p.m. — 10th Street and North Washington Boulevard. Reckless Driving. A woman said she was enjoying a leisurely drive when a motorcycle cut in front of her. She had to slam on her brakes to avoid hitting him, and she blew her horn at him. The motorcyclist flipped her off and began swerving back and forth across the road to keep her from passing him. At the next traffic light, she said he acted like he was going to back up his bike into her car. She said several other cars blew their horns at him to get him to stop.

He’s a little runaway
8:30 p.m. — Alta Vista Street and South Osprey Avenue. Found Animal. A police officer was driving down South Osprey Avenue when he came across a dog walking in the middle of the street. The dog’s collar had its name, Toby, and a phone number. The officer got Toby’s address and took him there. The officer wrote in his report, “Toby appeared to be very excited to be reunited with his owner.”