Cops Corner: Sarasota

Sept. 29
PURSE PILFER
11:45 a.m. — 1000 block of Boulevard of the Arts. Petit Theft. A vacationer from Boca Raton went to an art show at a hotel, where she mistakenly left her purse on the counter at a coffee bar. The vacationer returned 10 minutes later and spoke to an employee who handed over the purse. It was not until later that the vacationer discovered that the wallet inside her purse containing all her identification and cash had been taken. The vacationer spoke to the employee again, who told her that the purse was open when they found it.

Sept. 30
NIGHTY NIGHT
8:16 a.m. — 700 block of N. Tamiami Trail. Lodging Out-of-Doors. While patrolling the area, an officer observed a woman sleeping on the grass in front of the main entrance of a building. The woman had all of her belongings, three bags, with her. The woman told the officer she was homeless, and after a check, the officer found she did not have a warrant for her arrest. The officer transported the woman to the Salvation Army after issuing an out-of-door lodging warning.

POOL-HOPPING
10 p.m. — 400 block of Benjamin Franklin Drive. Trespass. An officer was called to the public pool after someone broke into the pool area by removing the cable lock on the gate. The cable lock was found at the bottom of the pool.

Oct. 1
DELAYED REACTION
3:00 p.m. — 2100 block of Sixth Street. Burglary of a Vehicle. A woman left her car unlocked, and when she returned she discovered that her purse was stolen. The woman told police she was only reporting the crime, which happened two days earlier, because her bank told her she should report it because her bank card was one of the items stolen. An officer told her that next time if something happens to report it immediately so police can canvass the area and check for fingerprints.

I WAS HERE FIRST
2:50 p.m. — 3400 N. Tamiami Trail. Dispute. Officers responded to a call about a dispute at a store. A homeless woman told police that she was cut off in line, and thus became upset. The woman started cursing at other customers and left to wait for police. A store manager said the woman was being disruptive and he wanted her to leave.

WHY CAN’T WE BE FRIENDS?
5:00 p.m. — 1400 block of First Street. Dispute. Officers were called to a grocery store for a disturbance. A man told officers he was sitting down, having a beer, when a second man sat down next to him. The second man started saying things to him and calling him a Mexican. The two men have had problems in the past. The second man was mumbling under his breath, and the first man confronted the second man and asked what his problem was. The second man said, “Come on. You want to see what I am made of? If you come back here I am going to slit your throat.” The first man got up and walked away, to try to avoid a confrontation, but the second man followed him. At some point, it seems that both men threatened each other with a knife, but officers could not find a knife on either man.

Oct. 2
THAT SMOKY SMELL
1:30 a.m. — 4600 block of N. Tamiami Trail. Possession of Marijuana. Officers encountered a woman who was walking along U.S. 41. The officers smelled a strong odor of burning marijuana coming from the woman. An officer found a small blunt, still burning, which had been thrown on the ground. The woman was placed under arrest.

YOU’VE OVERSTAYED YOUR WELCOME
11:00 a.m. — 2000 block of Eighth Street. Patrol Request. A property owner reported that she has been having a problem, for several weeks, with squatters on her property. The owner told police that she had cleaned the property and tried to secure it, but the squatters returned. The owner requested police patrols of the property.

ON THE RUN
11:30 a.m. — 2200 block of Hillview Street. Suspicious Person. A jogger was running around her block on her daily run when she observed two males who appeared to be following her. The jogger kept jogging, until she saw the two men approach her home. The jogger went to confront the men, and the first one turned and ran in the other direction. The second man tried to run away, but was unable to because of an object he was carrying in his pants. The officer requested additional patrols in the area.

JOY RIDE
6:45 p.m. — 1900 block of Main Street. Petit Theft. A man left his bike chained to a bike stand while he saw a movie. After the movie, he went to eat dinner, and when he returned, the bike was missing. The man told police he spoke to someone who saw a white male with blonde hair and dirty jeans ride off on the bike. The officer checked the area with negative results.