Police investigate truck that drove away with gas pump hose

Saturday, Aug. 3

Random boat problem

11:04 a.m., 800 block of Broadway Street

Officer Public Service: An officer was dispatched to a vessel that washed up a couple of days prior. The complainant said he was concerned that the vessel’s owner had not yet retrieved the vessel. The officer tried calling the owner multiple times but had no luck, so the complainant said he would arrange a commercial tow to remove the vessel from his property. 

Suspicious stroll 

7:51 p.m., 4300 block of Falmouth Drive

Suspicious Person: Dispatch sent Longboat Key officers to a report of a suspicious person. Upon arrival, officers met with the alleged suspicious person who was walking in a parking lot. The man gave officers his identification, confirmed he was staying at a nearby location and said he was just out for a walk. He said he had taken a picture of a car that had its cover blown off and was texting the owner to give them a heads-up before the storm. 

Sunday, Aug. 4

Boat-caused bridge backup 

4:13 p.m., 7200 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive

Abandoned Vehicle: A report of a loose sailboat heading for the Longboat Pass Bridge required police assistance. The responding officer saw the sailboat pinned against the bridge. The boat’s hatch was locked and there appeared to be nobody onboard. The officer notified the United States Coast Guard of the hazard, but there was nothing more to do at that point. 

Two hours later, an officer on patrol noticed a backup of cars on the Longboat Pass Bridge and saw the drawbridge arm was across the bridge. The officer asked dispatch to notify the Florida Department of Transportation and other agencies that the bridge was impassable. While some officers were not on active calls, some stayed at the scene to control traffic. 

Lending a hand

7:06 p.m., 4700 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive

Highway Obstruction: While on patrol, an officer noticed a disabled vehicle in flood water that was blocking the southbound lane of GMD. A good Samaritan helped the officer in pushing the vehicle to the side of the road to allow for traffic to continue flowing. The owner said a tow would be arranged. 

Monday, Aug. 5

Runaway channel marker 

2:18 a.m., 1900 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive

Marine Rescue: An officer was dispatched to a possible marine rescue. At the scene, the officer met with the complainant who said he saw a blinking white light about 200 feet away in the Gulf of Mexico. Officers determined it was not a boat but a channel marker that became detached. 

Tuesday, Aug. 6

Wanted: Missing boat

8:58 p.m., 700 block of Broadway Street

Lost/Found Property: A resident called to report that his 12-14-foot white-and-green boat was missing. He said he had tied the boat up to a friend’s sailboat before Hurricane Debby, but once the storm passed he realized the boat was missing. The owner said he would let the police department know if he found the boat, and the case was closed for the time being. 

Wednesday, Aug. 7

Poor pump management 

3:28 p.m., 5800 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive

Suspicious Incident: While on beach patrol, an officer noticed a large amount of water being pumped from a large hose behind a residence. According to the report, the water was creating a large channel through the dune and beach with water flowing into the Gulf of Mexico. Officers approached the residence and spoke with a man who said he was the site supervisor for a landscaping company. The officers asked him to shut off the pumps and explained why they were investigating. The superintendent admitted he knew he should not be pumping water from the home’s pool onto the beach. He apologized for the act and officers let him off with a verbal warning as other workers filled in the gully in the dune. 

Thursday, Aug. 8

Gas pump snag 

3:13 p.m., 400 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive

Property Damage: Police were sent to investigate property damage to a gas pump and hose at a local gas station. At the scene, an officer met with the complainant who said a white box truck drove away with the fuel hose and nozzle still in the truck. The man’s report was verified through security camera footage, and the officer noticed a company name on the side of the truck. The officer spoke with the company’s manager and inquired about the day’s Longboat Key delivery which was confirmed by the manager. The company manager was connected with the gas station representative to work out the matter and repair the pump.