Cops Corner: Longboat Key 3.26.2015

March 13
Riding dirty
8:29 a.m. — 5300 block of GMD.

Traffic: When police stopped a vehicle with expired tags, the driver told police: “I’m screwed. I knew you were after me. I normally don’t drive. I had to go to work.” The driver admitted his license was suspended and asked police not to take him to jail. He said he was using the car of his ex-girlfriend, who is in jail, and told police they would find drug paraphernalia inside. Police found 19 syringes and five baggies containing heroin. The man said he used to use heroin but now takes subutex, a medication for opiate addiction. Police arrested the man and transported him to the Manatee County Jail.

Don’t come back
1:53 p.m. — 500 block of Bay Isles Parkway.

Suspicious Person: A drug store employee saw a man in the parking lot asking customers for money. When she asked the man to leave, he argued with her before leaving the property. Police found the man walking nearby. He confirmed that he had gotten to an argument with management before leaving and said he was headed for the closest bus stop to ride back to Sarasota. The employee said no crime occurred but did not want the man to return or disturb customers.

Not-so-smooth sailing
2:24 p.m. — Off the Key.

Boat: A resident reported a sailboat adrift and dragging its anchor in the Gulf. The captain told police he was fine and moored after having difficulty navigating New Pass.

Nothing to see here
3:51 p.m. — Linley Street. 

Boat: Police responded to a complaint of a dinghy pad locked to a bench near the beach. Police had not seen the vessel in the area before but did not observe any violations.

March 14
Call of the wild
1:53 p.m. — 600 block of Magnolia Road.

Noise: A woman complained that she has been bothered by bird noises for several days and believes someone may be using a recording of screeching hawks to scare away other birds. Police heard the sound of screeching hawks but could not determine whether it was natural or recorded.

March 15
Working dog
3:21 p.m. — 3200 block of GMD.

Dog on the Beach: A caller reported that a woman was on the beach with her dog. The dog’s owner told police the dog is a service animal and showed police tags verifying its status.

March 17
Living arrangements
1:43 p.m. — 3400 block of GMD. 

Trespassing: A real estate agent reported that a man has been living in the wooded area of his property, which is next to a beach access. The man ran off when he saw the agent. The agent said he would contact dispatch about getting extra patrols in the area until the residence sells next month.