Cops Corner: Longboat Key 07.27.2016

July 14

Ghost Ship
6:29 p.m. — 700 block of Linley Street
Boat: A man reported that a sailboat broke from its moorings and was drifting into other boats. The loose vessel came to rest at the south end of the Longbeach Village Dock. Officers could not find a registered owner for the sailboat.

Unwanted photo-op
9:50 p.m. — 500 block of Bay Isles Parkway
Battery: Officers responded to a disturbance in front of a drug store, in which a man said a woman broke his $800 cellphone. The man said he was taking photos of an unauthorized vehicle parked across two handicapped-accessible, and its occupants began arguing with him. The woman, who he assumed was with the vehicle’s passengers, exited the store and pushed him, causing his phone to fall to the ground. The man told officers he had his cane with him but did not swing it at anyone. Police are investigating the case.

July 15

Damage delivery
7:21 p.m. — 600 block of Yardarm Lane
Vandalism: A woman reported that her mailbox was damaged. She checked her mail the previous day and did not see damage but noticed its front door was twisted and bent the following day. The rest of the mailbox was not damaged.

July 16

Gone Fishin’
3:45 p.m. — 7000 block of Bayside Drive
Field Investigation: A woman reported that people were trespassing on a dock and breaking into a boat. When an officer arrived, he noted three individuals wearing head flashlights who sounded intoxicated. The subjects told police they were just fishing. The officer determined they were not trespassing. The woman said she thought she saw them on her dock.

July 17

Expensive Date
4:53 a.m. — 1000 block of Longboat Club Road
Burglary of a Residence: A man reported that his ex-girlfriend stole his truck earlier that night, then returned to burglarize his residence. The man told officers the woman stole four computers, two Rolex watches and jewelry valued with a combined value of $38,650. There was no forced entry because she was familiar with the building. 

Blinded by the Light
9:20 a.m. — 4200 block of GMD
Property Damage: While directing church traffic, an officer noticed a light pole lying on the ground, a broken sprinkler head and tire tracks near the damage. The officer walked to the church parking lot and found a vehicle with matching damage. The owner told police the sun was in her eyes and that she had already talked to the property owner about paying for repairs.

Curiosity Killed the Cat
11:24 p.m. — 200 block of Sands Point Road
Property Damage: A man heard a strange noise coming from beneath the hood of his rental van, and found a deceased cat in the engine’s fan. The damage was estimated at $300 for four fan blades. Hotel staff disposed of the cat.

Redneck Fishing
12:08 p.m. — Off the Key
Assist Other Agency: Officers responded to reports of a man in a white vessel shooting an unknown weapon into the water. Police interviewed nearby boats and witnesses denied hearing or seeing any gunfire.