Cops Corner: Sarasota

Jan. 4
NAP TIME
12:01 a.m. — 400 block Benjamin Franklin Drive. Burglary of a Vehicle. A local resident returned from a trip to Indiana. He carried a bundle of clothes from his vehicle into his residence, and he left his vehicle unlocked because he planned to immediately return to finish unloading. He went inside to lie down and fell asleep. When he awoke, he went outside and found that someone had taken his iPhone, worth about $400, from his car. The resident told police officers he waited to report the crime because he wanted to call the insurance company. Because of the delay in reporting the burglary, the officer was unable to check for fingerprints.

BMX BANDITS
9 a.m. — 100 block Cocoanut Avenue. Criminal Mischief. An officer met with a resident who said that 12 to 14 unknown teenagers riding BMX-style bikes left black tire marks on the south side of the building. According to the resident, it was the third time that had happened. The group of BMX bikers also moved the cement parking barriers to get access to the wall.

Jan. 7
OPEN INVITIATION
4 p.m. — 1702 Laurel Street. Burglary of a Vehicle. A homeowner parked her unlocked car at her home. The homeowner received an email from her credit-card company advising her of possible fraudulent activity on her card involving a $920 purchase at an electronics store. The homeowner went out to her car, where she keeps a credit card for emergency purposes, and she found that it was missing. The card was left in the cup holder. The contents of a bag were also removed and strewn about the backseat. An officer went to the electronics store and found out that the person who used the stolen credit card purchased two iPad minis. No further action was taken.

WALK SHOCK
4 p.m. — Marina Plaza. Burglary of a Vehicle. A resident parked her car before she walked across the Ringling Bridge, and when she returned one hour later, she found that someone had broken the front passenger-side window. The thief stole a duffle bag and a purse that had been sitting on the passenger seat. The purse contained $860 cash and multiple credit cards and identification cards. Black pants, a red shirt, red shoes, a Samsung tablet, a cell phone and a bracelet were also stolen.

Jan. 8
A FEW TOO MANY
1 a.m. — 1400 block Main Street. Theft. Bar employees called police about an intoxicated man who refused to leave. An officer contacted the man who was struggling to stand on his own. He was heavily intoxicated, slurring his words and drooling. The officer transported the man to the hospital for treatment.

WHAT A HEADACHE
8 a.m. — 800 block Benjamin Franklin Drive. Lost Property. A tourist lost her wallet while she was on vacation. She realized the wallet was missing when she tried to make a purchase at a pharmacy.

YOU’LL PAY FOR THAT
6:58 p.m. — 1300 block Main Street. Petit Theft. A bar patron left a bar without paying his tab. The same patron, described as 6 feet tall, 190 pounds, with spiked hair, has done so before. Based on the description given, the officer was able to find the suspect in the MUGS computer system.

TEMPER TANTRUM
9:47 p.m. — 800 block N. Washington Blvd. Unclassified. A homeless man was causing a scene at a store. He was screaming and throwing things. The man left pulling a blue-and-white suitcase.

EXIT STRATEGY
11:45 p.m. — 1500 block N. Lockwood Ridge. Crash. A witness told a car owner that a car struck his truck while it left its parking spot. The brake light and rear fender were damaged. There was no paint, however, left from the other vehicle.

MR. CAN MAN
9 a.m. — 800 block Pompano Avenue. Burglary of a Structure. An officer responded to a burglary of a shed. The homeowner thought someone who lives nearby broke into the shed and stole four to five large bags of aluminum cans. The neighbor said he took the cans because he thought the homeowner didn’t need them.

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