Cops Corner: Sarasota 01.07.16

Dec. 31

HIGH FARE
10 p.m. — 4800 block of North Tamiami Trail
Theft: A taxi driver reported two individuals for not paying their $40 fare. One of the passengers gave the man $10 and said they would return with the rest of the fare, but both individuals left without returning. An officer made contact with the individuals, at which point the passenger who paid $10 said the other passenger would pay the remainder of the fare. The other passenger only had $18, leaving an outstanding fare of $12. The driver said he did not want to press charges for the remaining total. One of the passengers informed the officer he had drug paraphernalia in his front pocket, handing over a glass pipe used to smoke marijuana. The officer issued the passenger a citation.

Jan. 1

CLOSE TALKER
1:33 a.m. — 300 block of N. Orange Avenue
Suspicion: A man reported that he and his family were waiting for a cab at a gas station, and felt uncomfortable because a woman was walking close to them and talking to herself. The woman left the scene when an officer arrived, and the officer waited with the family until the cab picked them up.

RINGING IN THE NEW YEAR
2:30 a.m. — 0 block of Marina Plaza
Dispute: An officer responded to a report regarding a fight. A valet driver told the officer he hit an unknown man, because the man charged the driver in an aggressive manner. The driver said he did not know what provoked the man. The man’s father was still on the scene, and said he sent his son home to avoid further confrontation. Both parties agreed they did not wish to pursue any charges in connection to the fight.

Jan. 4

GETTING A HANDLE
10:01 a.m. — 900 block of University Parkway
Suspicion: A manager at a hotel reported that several subjects were pulling on door handles in the back of the building. An officer located the subjects, who were all staying at the hotel and had room keys. The officer told the manager that if she saw any other individuals pulling on door handles, she should call law enforcement.

FLIPPING OUT
2:07 p.m. — 400 block of N. Tamiami Trail
Dispute: Officers responded to a dispute between two drivers. A woman said she accidentally cut another car off, and the other driver excessively honked her horn and drove around the woman. The woman made an obscene gesture toward the other driver, at which point the other driver slowed down and got behind the woman. The woman said the other driver was following her car for about 20 minutes. The other driver acknowledged the obscene gesture, but said she was not following the woman. Neither party had committed a crime, and both drivers left the scene without further incident.