Cops Corner

Nov. 23
Heavy load
4:44 p.m. — 4000 block of GMD. Traffic Violation. A truck carrying a trailer was pulled over for speeding. The driver received a warning for no current proof of insurance, and tickets were issued for driving with an expired tag and a broken brake
light.

License liability
10:21 a.m. — 5300 block of GMD. Reckless Driving. A Longboat Key woman was issued a ticket for failing to drive in a single lane after she was observed swerving all over the road, running at least five cars off the road, almost hitting a bicyclist and almost hitting two parked cars. The woman told police she felt fine and doesn’t have any health problems. Police decided to submit the woman for a re-examination of her driver’s license.

Nov. 24
Scratch that
10:56 a.m. — 4400 block of GMD. Vandalism. A man reported that someone scratched the driver’s side of his rental car, causing $150 worth of damage.

If you build it …
2:38 p.m. — 100 block of Broadway. Disturbance. An irate man called police to report someone was destroying protected vegetation on the beach. Police made contact with the man, who explained that he was using dead leaves and grass to help decorate a sandcastle his children built. Other beachgoers confirmed the man’s story, and the matter was dropped.

Honesty is the best policy
9:15 p.m. — Off the Key. Narcotics Violation. A driver informed police during a routine traffic stop that one of his passengers was in possession of a small amount of marijuana. While conducting a pat down of the passenger, he admitted to tossing four small baggies of marijuana on the ground as he was exiting the car. The passenger was issued a citation for possession of marijuana.

Nov. 27
Signage slipup
11:23 a.m. — Off the Key. Assist Other Agency. Police assisted Sarasota County marine patrol after a boater was seen using a net in a no-vessel zone. The boater told police he didn’t know the rules and was only looking for signs of mullet. He was issued a verbal warning and sent on his way.

Nov. 28
Cease fireworks
1:25 a.m. — Off the Key. Suspicious Circumstance. Police heard the sound of fireworks coming from Longbeach Village and discovered that someone was lighting fireworks on Jewfish Key. When police shined a patrol car flashlight on the island, the fireworks ceased.

Nov. 30
Close call
9:43 a.m. — Intersection of GMD and St. Judes Drive. Traffic Violation. Police pulled over a red car after it came within a foot of hitting a patrol car that was parked on the shoulder of Gulf of Mexico Drive. The driver had no valid driver’s license and several previous citations. The owner picked up the car later that day.