Cops Corner: East County

The following information was gathered from incident and arrest reports obtained from the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office.

MAY 22
CASH BACK BANDIT
3:10 p.m. — 6200 block State Road 64 East. Larceny Petit, First Offense. The defendant was observed by the loss-prevention officer selecting items from the cosmetic area, which the witness states was being matched up to a receipt the defendant had removed from her purse. The defendant then was observed going to the customer service desk, where she returned the items she had just selected. She obtained cash back for the items. She then used the cash to purchase numerous items. The defendant, from the original transaction, got back $37.74. She then paid $11.86 for new items purchased with the money.

MAY 23
HEARD LOUD AND CLEAR
2:49 p.m. — 8300 block Lockwood Ridge Road. Trespass Warning. The property manager at a business told the suspect she was trespassing, and the suspect stated she understood.

HOME HIDEAWAY
2:21 p.m. — 6200 Flagship Court. Burglary to Convey-Larceny. Two deputies visited a property in the 15000 block of Skip Jack Loop to speak to a burglary suspect about an unrelated case. While speaking to his mother, she allowed the deputies to search his room for the stolen item. In his room, deputies found three Garmin GPS systems, which included the one listed in a report. A deputy contacted the victim, and she stated the item was stolen out of her car at the beginning of the year. The GPS was placed into evidence for safekeeping.

DEATH AND TAXES
3:34 p.m. — 8000 block Conservatory Drive. Fraud and Use/Possession of ID of Another Without Consent. The complainant has proof of death for her deceased aunt. The complainant filed her aunt’s taxes and received a notice from the IRS stating her taxes already were being used by unknown persons. The IRS requested a police report.

CAUGHT IN THE ACT
5:45 p.m. — 4500 University Parkway. Grand Theft. The complainant is an asset protection investigator for Home Depot. The complainant reported a suspect stole $990 in merchandise from Home Depot. The suspects’ actions were captured on surveillance. A CD of the surveillance was provided and placed into evidence.

PURSE SNATCH
11:49 p.m. — 8300 block Lockwood Ridge Road. Grand Theft. The complainant states her purse was stolen while she was shopping at Walmart. The complainant said she left her purse in her cart near the front of the store while she walked over to talk to her father. When she returned, her purse was gone.

May 24
BRASS KNUCKLES BUST
12:30 p.m. — 5500 block Lakewood Ranch Blvd. Processing/Concealing. A school administrator received a call from a teacher stating that a book bag was found in the courtyard. Upon searching the bag to locate the owner, the administrator found metallic (brass) knuckles inside the front pocket. The administrator then reviewed the courtyard’s security video and observed a white male, wearing white shorts and a dark-colored long-sleeve shirt, place the book bag on the ground in the courtyard and walk into the cafeteria building. The administrator identified the student and located him in the cafeteria, at which time the student was escorted to the administrator’s office. While there, the student said the brass knuckles belonged to him and he forgot they were in his bag. A juvenile referral was issued.