Cops Corner

March 14
In a china shop
11:47 a.m. — 1200 block of South Tamiami Trail. Petit Theft Shoplifting. A woman entered a specialty store and took two items to the counter. Her credit card was declined, so she told the clerk she would leave and return with cash. After coming back and paying for the two items, she browsed through the store a little longer. As she tried to exit, she set off the anti-theft alarm. Two employees took the woman to the back room and said they wanted to know if she had anything in her purse. They found a scarf and two books that the woman did not purchase. The woman suddenly grabbed her purse and bolted for the back door. She struggled with the employees and shoved one against the door and grabbed the other by the arm. A third employee joined the scuffle, and, together, they finally subdued the woman. She was later arrested.

March 15
Up close and personal
6:26 a.m. — 2700 block of Riverside Drive. Suspicious Person. Complainant called police to report a stranger, who was standing at the end of her driveway. The stranger was wearing light-colored clothing and was carrying something. He also was standing extremely still. The complainant took a closer look at the stranger and told the officer on the phone that it was actually a garbage can and not a person.

Family ties
9:57 a.m. — 2000 block of South Shade Avenue. Family Dispute. A woman reported her mother and uncle have been harassing her for money they claim she owes them. The woman’s grandfather bought her a car, which she wrecked. She said she’s been making payments to her grandfather to reimburse him. She recently received a large insurance check for the crash she had. Her mother and uncle urged her to turn over the check to them, but she’s refusing. The woman has returned the car, however. An officer told the uncle it was a matter that had to be pursued in small-claims court.

Son shined
10 a.m. — 700 block of Indian Beach Circle. Theft. A homeowner had more than $16,000 in jewelry stolen from her home. She first noticed a necklace missing in February, but she thought she may have misplaced it. But, during the next six weeks, several other pieces of jewelry began disappearing, one-by-one. She suspects her cleaning lady’s son is the culprit. About the time that the jewelry was swiped, the cleaning lady began taking her son to the victim’s house with her. The son has a history of drug use and theft convictions.

One cool customer
12:45 p.m. — 1600 block of Main Street. Forgery. A man walked up to a bank teller and asked her if she would cash a check made out for $997. He gave her a Florida ID card, which matched his face and the name on the check. But the teller said the man appeared extremely nervous. He was actually shaking during the transaction. It became all too much for the man. He grabbed his ID and told the teller he would be back another time. He left the check behind. Police are trying to track him down now.

Hey, Dizzy! Keep it down!
9 p.m. — 1100 block of Tuttle Avenue. Noise Disturbance. Someone called to report a neighbor was playing the trumpet too loudly, because his home’s back door open.