Police respond to suspected burglary, find out it's family

Friday, April 7

A close call 

12:11 a.m., 2900 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive 

Suspicious incident: After dinner in Sarasota, a resident was alarmed when his daughter said her phone had linked up to an AirTag. The AirTag’s GPS showed the route taken from dinner back to the house. He told officers he was scared for his safety as he did not know who put the tag in his vehicle and they now knew the address. While speaking with the officer, the man’s daughter told him it was her sister’s boyfriend who left the tag in the vehicle. 

Saturday, April 8

A powerful sprinkler system

6:57 a.m., 5100 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive 

Citizen assist: An officer was dispatched for a call of a water line spraying water about 8 feet into the air. However, no police services were needed after the property owner said the spraying water was likely the sprinkler system. 

Help needed

5:25 p.m., Longboat Pass 

Boat-miscellaneous: While on marine patrol, an officer was flagged down by a boater having engine problems. The operator had thrown an anchor down, but was not sure it was holding well. The officer waited with the boat until the rental company arrived on the scene and towed the boat away. 

Just in case 

9:05 p.m., 5300 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive

Property damage, not vandalism: When parking his vehicle, a resident's front bumper got caught on a cement parking block at Centre Shops. The individual was able to push the bumper back into place on his own, but wanted to file a report with the police in case he decided to file a damage claim with insurance later. 

Sunday, April 9

Lost and found 

8:11 a.m., 7100 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive

Found property: An officer was sent to the address on a report of found property. The resident said he had found a wallet on the sidewalk of the bridge with a driver's license, cards and cash inside. The officer was able to contact the wallet’s owner to come to the police station to pick up their property. 

Monday, April 10

Neighborly help 

4:58 a.m., 600 block of Norton Street 

Citizen assist: A neighbor called police on behalf of the homeowner in reference to a broken backflow preventer. Public Works was contacted about the issue and staff members informed the officer they were on the way. The officer called the homeowner to let them know Public Works was on its way to the residence. The officer had previously been informed the owner might not be able to answer the door due to medical issues. 

Unmanned sinking ship

10:22 a.m., 800 block of Broadway Street 

Boat-miscellaneous: Police were called to report a sinking vessel in the area. The caller said the sailboat was on its side and was possibly taking on water. Upon arrival, the officer identified the vessel as a previously stamped derelict boat. Manatee County Sheriff's Marine Patrol was made aware of the issue. 

Early arrival

10:46 a.m., 5200 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive 

Citizen assist: Officers were called for a potential burglary. The caretaker of the property, who made the call, said when checking on the property he found clothes and food inside. The owner had been contacted and was unaware of anyone planning to stay at the residence. No one was inside the residence. The owner was contacted again and apologized for the issue, but her daughter-in-law and some friends had arrived earlier than expected. 

Not police business

5:15 p.m., 3200 block of Bayou Way 

Citizen assist: A resident called police to report water was not coming out of their faucet. Upon arrival, the officer told the homeowner to contact a plumber. 

Better safe than sorry

11:32 p.m., 6100 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive 

Suspicious incident: A loud bang in a resident’s garage prompted a call for police to check out the area. Upon arrival, officers canvassed the area, but found nothing out of the ordinary. They deduced the strong winds could have slammed a door, causing the noise. 

Wednesday, April 12

No additional information 

4:08 p.m., 1000 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive 

Found property: While conducting traffic enforcement, an individual approached the officer, handed him a set of keys and left. The person did not provide any additional information. The officer submitted the keys into evidence. 

Thursday, April 13

Too fast

12:27 p.m., 5700 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive 

Suspicious person: Officers received a call via dispatch reporting a bike driving fast down a sidewalk. When the officer arrived in the area, the biker was gone and unable to be located. 

Further down the street

7:26 p.m., 500 block of Bay Isles Parkway

Citizen assist: Police were called to respond to a car hauler illegally parked on the roadway. The officer informed the driver that he was allowed to load and unload on the road, but in the future to park another block down the road to prevent traffic issues. The driver apologized and said he would finish up quickly and be on his way. 

Friday, April 14

Unwelcome surprise 

11:13 p.m., 500 block of Outrigger Lane

Citizen assist: An officer was dispatched back to police headquarters for a walk-in complaint. The individual said he had a female staying at his residence and he himself had been a resident for nine months. He recently found out the female was married and wanted her removed from his residence. The officer informed the man he would have to pursue civil action to evict her and directed him to the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office.