Cops Corner: Robber takes $300 from charity fundraiser for veterans

Nov. 5

THIEF ROBS VETERANS

2900 block of 53rd Avenue East, Bradenton

Robbery: The Sheriff's Office was contacted when a volunteer for the Veterans Outreach Organization was collecting donations outside a department store and was in the process of securing his collections canister to a table when a man ran up from behind him and snatched the canister. The thief ran east through the parking lot, got into a vehicle and fled. The canister had approximately $300 in it.

Nov. 14

MOWER IS MAIN SUSPECT

7100 block of Southgate Court, Sarasota

Information only: The Sheriff's Office was contacted when a woman heard a loud noise about 10 a.m. but was unable to locate the source until she found her bathroom window was shattered. Her neighbors said a lawn service crew was mowing the yard about that time. A deputy found that a small object hit the window. The deputy found nothing else suspicious in the area. 

Nov. 16

SHINING MOMENT FOR CRIME

6200 block of State Road 64 East, Bradenton

Petit Theft: A loss prevention employee for a department store called the Sheriff's Office after watching a man come into the store, select a shoe cleaning product off the shelf and then shine his shoes. The suspect also went to the jewelry department and selected a jewelry cleaning product and then conceal it in his pants. The suspect went to a fast food store within the department store and sat for 10 minutes before leaving the store. The man was stopped by security. The amount of the stolen items was $20.28. The man had $350 in his wallet at the time of his arrest.

Nov. 18

NOT A SMART GET-AWAY

8300 block of Lockwood Ridge Road, Sarasota

Petit theft: A man entered a department store and selected a universal charger from the shelf, before concealing it in his motorcycle helmet. A loss prevention employee attempted to stop the man from leaving the store, but he swung the helmet at him and fled on foot. The employee called the Sheriff's Office and also reported, from reviewing video, that the thief left his motorcycle in the parking lot. It was still there when deputies arrived. The value of the charger was $39.93. The Sheriff's Office was checking to confirm the identity of the motorcycle's registered owner. The video of the incident was placed in property and evidence.