Cops Corner: Longboat Key

Jan. 2
Pure hogwash
11:44 a.m. — 2200 block of GMD. Public Service. A man discovered that an unknown appendage had washed ashore. Police identified it as a pig’s foot, most likely from an offshore crab trap.

To catch a thief
2:35 p.m. — 500 block of Rountree Drive. Larceny. A man reported that five fishing poles were stolen from his boat.

The cars are all right
5:08 p.m. — 4400 block of GMD. Fire. The hydraulic line on a car carrier became disconnected and caused a fire. Firefighters extinguished it. No snowbird vehicles were damaged.

Mistaken identity
6:37 p.m. — 4700 block of GMD. Lost/Missing Property. A woman was swimming at a hotel when someone took her purse. While police were taking a report, a man arrived with the purse and said that his wife accidentally picked it up. Nothing was missing from the purse.

Lost in translation
9:07 p.m. — 4400 block of GMD. Reckless Driving. A man whose car was clocked at 62 mph kept driving when police activated emergency lights. He pulled over only when an officer gave orders over the PA system. Police detained the man and his passenger at gunpoint after the driver abruptly exited the vehicle and failed to comply with other instructions. The driver said that he didn’t understand the instructions. His passenger was released after police determined he was French and didn’t speak much English. The driver reported drinking wine with dinner but performed field sobriety tests with minimal errors. He received citations for unlawful speed and reckless driving.

Jan. 3
Extinguished early
7:13 a.m. — 2600 block of Harbourside Drive. Fire. A man had already extinguished an electrical fire on his boat by the time police and firefighters arrived.

Trash or treasure?
5:38 p.m. — 6500 block of Bayou Hammock Road. Dumping. An unknown person dumped a 19-inch Acer computer monitor, orange travel bag and lampshade outside a community trash disposal. Police confirmed that the monitor wasn’t stolen.

Off the radar
9:03 p.m. — 1400 block of GMD. Reckless Driving. Police were unable to locate a green sedan that was reportedly swerving out of its lane and “all over the road.”

Root of the problem
10:58 a.m. — 3200 block of GMD. Suspicious Circumstance. A man reported that a patch of grass in his condominium appeared to have died as the result of someone pouring a substance on the ground. At the root of the matter is a community dispute in which some residents want the tree removed while others want it to remain. No tree opponents were available to talk to police.

Jan. 5
Bird harassment doesn’t fly
6:12 p.m. — 3000 block of Harbourside Drive. Animal Rescue. A man saw three people catch a large wild bird and take it onto their boat. Police couldn’t determine whether it was a case of bird harassment or a rescue attempt.

Need a ride?
7:37 p.m. — 5400 block of GMD. Public Service. After a man entered the police station and said he was stranded, police gave him a ride back to his Sarasota residence.

Jan. 9
Warning signs
12:45 a.m. — 100 block of N. Shore Road. Vandalism. Two signs that warn beachgoers about strong currents were apparently pulled out of the ground. Someone also constructed several “hut-type” structures out of driftwood. Police emailed Public Works.

Seeing the lights
9:15 p.m. — 700 block of Marbury Lane. Suspicious Circumstance. A woman returned home and found several lights on that she believes she turned off before leaving and locking the door. Police confirmed that the home was secure but couldn’t find an explanation for the lights.

Jan. 10
Right to bear arms
2:55 a.m. — Coquina Beach. Assist Other Agency. Police assisted Bradenton Beach police, who discovered that two people had a firearm in a park. Police confirmed that one man had a valid concealed weapons permit.

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