Roommates get into altercation over body lotion scandal

Thursday, Dec. 26

Tell her about it

2:49 p.m., 1900 block of Golf Street

Suspicious incident: A supervisor of a business sought law enforcement assistance after a woman entered the location and began yelling at several staff members for no reason. The complainant reminded the responding officer that the woman had done the same thing approximately two weeks prior when she thought the business had her golf cart towed. 

The officer made contact with another woman inside the establishment who advised that while she was walking there after parking her car, the woman began to yell at her, also for no apparent reason, and repeating, "You tell her that!" Not knowing what to whom she was being ordered to tell what, she simply walked away. 

All parties interviewed advised the subject was seen leaving the area in a white van prior to the officer’s arrival. She had also been observed driving by the location while looking toward the building several times.

Friday, Dec. 27

They threw the book at him

12:05 p.m., 1300 block of First Street

Disturbance: A man was removing his clothing, throwing items and screaming racial slurs inside the Selby Library. The manager advised an officer the subject was moving his belongings into the library and, when told he could not do that, the man began screaming at him, took off his shirt and began throwing items throughout the room. 

Contact was made with the subject outside the library, who stated he was going to find a pedophile and wrap a cord around his or her neck in an attempt to kill him or her. The gender of the alleged offender was not given, nor whether the subject was in search of a known or random pedophile.

Although the man did not appear to have an underlying mental health concern, he was advised he trespassed from the facility and was transported to Sarasota Memorial Hospital. While in transit, the man began screaming, “Hurry the (expletive) up!” and became verbally hostile. After being removed from the patrol vehicle at SMH, he head-butted a wall, sustaining no visible injury. He was then released to the custody of SMH.

Saturday, Dec. 28

Conflict resolution

9:30 a.m., 2900 block of Fruitville Road

Disturbance: Responding to a call about two women arguing in a parking lot, officers were told that the issue had been resolved and no police action was necessary. However, as they were about to leave the scene, the officers heard the two of them arguing again, one of them storming out of an apartment. 

Speaking with one of the women, an officer was advised that she was arguing with her girlfriend of 10 years and that, while there was no physical altercation, she was attempting to prevent her from leaving by pulling on her shirt. Both women were asked if they needed police assistance to help mediate the dispute, but both declined and assured they would sort it out and would not cause any further disturbances.

Monday, Dec. 30

Lotion emotion

11:32 a.m., 2100 block of Waldemere Street

Dispute: Recognizing the importance of maintaining smooth, supple skin, a man was chafed over believing his roommate was using his body lotion, which resulted in an alleged physical altercation. 

Officers were told the source of the heated exchange was an accusation that the permanent resident of the home, who was allowing an acquaintance to live there temporarily, engaged in unauthorized use of the guest’s body lotion. From there, an argument escalated to the point where the guest pushed the host into the bathroom and held him against the wall and holding him by the neck with both hands, at least according to the alleged victim.

The host told officers he agreed to let the other man stay live there for three months, ending Feb. 25, 2025, in exchange for him cleaning the house. He said there was a signed agreement between the two that the guest would use no illegal drugs on the premises or have visitors in the home, adding he believed he had violated both terms. 

Back to the body lotion, the guest had earlier in the day sent the host a text message that read, "Do not use body lotion.” Although the host denied using it, the owner of the lotion became belligerent, but denied pushing the man into the bathroom and holding him by the neck.

No physical injuries were apparent, nor were there any witnesses or video of the alleged altercation. Chapped by the entire incident, the guest voluntarily agreed to take his body lotion to a friend’s house for the day to avoid any further friction.