Dumpster diver allowed to carry on while looking for bait

Saturday, March 16

Warrant served at sea

2:54 p.m., Linley Street Boat Ramp

Vehicle Stop: While on marine patrol, an officer noticed a vessel dragging a bow line that was in danger of fouling a propeller. The officer realized the vessel’s registration matched a "be on the lookout" alert from the U.S. Coast Guard. The warning about the vessel included that the operator had two active felony warrants. The marine patrol officer stopped the vessel and said he was going to conduct a safety check of the vessel. The wanted operator asked if he could anchor his vessel and, while he was distracted in doing so, another officer came aboard the marine patrol boat. Once there were two officers present, the marine patrol officer asked the operator to step aboard the marine patrol boat, where he was handcuffed. The suspect was later transported to jail on land.

Same old graffiti

6:16 p.m., 7200 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive

Officer Public Service: A caller reported that graffiti was on the Longboat Pass Bridge, and a rope was hanging from the bridge. When the officer arrived on the scene, it was determined that the graffiti had been there for a while, and the officer removed the rope in question.

Monday, March 18

Defended the dumpster diver

9:14 a.m., 5300 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive

Suspicious Person: Dispatch sent officers to a restaurant, where it was reported that a suspicious person was going through the dumpster. The officer spoke with the man, who said he was collecting bait for fishing. One officer spoke with the restaurant manager, who said he had no problem with the man. The complainant was informed that the dumpster diver had permission to carry on.

Golf cart mix-up

9:39 a.m., 600 block of Jackson Way 

Suspicious Incident: An officer responded to a report of a stolen golf cart. At the scene, the responding officer spoke with the caller who said she found her golf cart down the block. The officer and caller walked to the golf cart, and she confirmed it was hers. A bystander realized that what must have happened was that the Village had a St. Patrick’s Day party the night before, and someone must have taken the wrong golf cart home by mistake. The officer spoke to the people staying at the house where the golf cart was found, and the confusion was later cleared up by everyone retrieving their own golf carts.

Tuesday, March 19

Wrong type of accident 

12:48 p.m., 600 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive

Officer Public Service: Dispatch alerted an officer to a possible traffic crash, which was reported by a cellphone’s crash detector. Before police arrived at the scene, dispatch spoke to the cellphone owner, who said the phone had been dropped by accident.