Cops Corner 08.12.10

July 31
Gun control
3:47 p.m. — 5300 block of Cape Leyte Drive. Burglary. As people were in the process of moving, a burglar broke in when they weren’t home and stole several guns, electronics and other items placed under and on top of boxes. Four guns, a knife, two computers and some jewelry were swiped. The resident suspects the culprit may be a man who recently performed some work on the home and spent time looking around places in the home where he had no business. The worker also asked prying questions of the resident — about whether he hunted and about his sex life.

Aug. 2
News you can use
6:02 a.m. — Indian Beach Drive. Theft. Someone stole a newspaper machine from the side of the road. All the news that’s fit to steal.

Outside the Boxster
10:01 a.m. — Siesta Drive and Osprey Avenue. Reckless Driver. A driver called the police department to report a Porsche Boxster convertible speeding up Osprey Avenue, passing cars on a double-yellow line and swerving like a maniac.

Can I get a mulligan?
12:09 p.m. — 4000 block of South Tamiami Trail. Theft. A golf-shop manager heard a cracking sound inside the store and knew exactly what it was — the snapping of a club head off the shaft. He looked around the store and saw the man who did it. He locked the front door and called police. The thief knew he was caught and began to mill around the store. Another customer saw the man remove the driver head from his pocket and place it on a shelf. When questioned, the thief told the officer that he didn’t know anything about the broken club. When the officer found a pipe cutter in the thief’s pocket, he suddenly remembered cutting the club, but said he changed his mind about stealing it and put it on a shelf. Because he ruined the golf club, he was arrested and charged with theft.

Aug. 3
Three-hole punch
2 p.m. — 300 block of Kensey Lane. Criminal Mischief. A landlord said the tenants he just evicted from his home punched several holes in the walls on their way out and left the front door wide open after he left.

Flirting with disaster
6:19 p.m. — 1400 block of Main Street. Suspicious Incident. Three teenagers were seen skateboarding in the construction area of the Five Points roundabout.

Not welcome
10:20 p.m. — 4600 block of Meadowview Circle. Trespassing. A deputy responded to a report of strangers hanging out at a home and came across three teenagers and a young adult. One of the teens said the home belonged to his dad’s girlfriend, and she lets him visit anytime he wants, even when she’s not home. The deputy called the girlfriend, and she had a different story. She said she has told the boy that he’s not welcome. The teen’s mother was called to the scene. She told the deputy that he could not interview her son, so the deputy arrested him for trespassing and took him to jail.