Cops Corner: Fast food, slow suspect

Jan. 8: FLOORED BY CRIME

8400 block of Lockwood Ridge Road, Sarasota

Grand theft: The Sheriff's Office was notified that employees of a flooring company were conducting fraudulent returns for cash and then splitting the money between them. The business has suffered a loss of $2,033.87. Loss prevention discovered the scheme and filmed the transactions, then presented downloaded video and still shots with the receipts' time stamps to deputies. One of the suspects admitted to the theft and completed an affidavit, then initialed the still images of the transactions. The other refused to speak about the incidents. Both were arrested.

Jan. 9: WHEN YOU'VE GOT TO GO

6400 block of Lakewood Ranch Boulevard, Lakewood Ranch

Criminal mischief: Sheriff's Office deputies were alerted that two unknown suspects had "tagged" the bathroom doors at Summerfield Park so they wouldn't lock. After they had tagged the doors, the suspects spotted a surveillance camera at the site and cover the lens with black marker. However, the two suspects already had been recorded on video, which was forwarded to the Sheriff's Office. Repairs cost $100.

Jan. 12: FAST FOOD, SLOW SUSPECT

8300 block of State Road 64 East, Bradenton

DUI incident: Two Sheriff's Office deputies were dispatched to a fast food restaurant about a man causing a disturbance and possibly being intoxicated. Upon arrival, a deputy saw the man drive off on a black moped. The man attempted to flee, running a stop sign before jumping up to the sidewalk and stopping in another fast food restaurant. The man jumped off the moped and ran to an outside table of the restaurant, sitting down and pretending he was eating. A deputy contacted the man and asked for his driver's license, which was expired. As the man answered questions, his breath smelled heavily of an alcoholic beverage. The man had blood-shot, glassy eyes. Deputies started standard field sobriety tests, which he failed. He had a greenish film in his mouth and raised taste buds, which is an indication of consumption of cannabis. The man admitted to smoking two joints. He was arrested.

Jan. 14: ARREST A RUDE AWAKENING

3000 block of 53rd Avenue East, Bradenton

DUI: Deputies responded to a report of a female and a male passed out in a vehicle. Upon arrival, the occupants were cleared by EMS and they were advised they were free to go but would have to call for a ride. With deputies were still on scene, the female got into the driver's seat and started the engine. Believing the defendant was going to drive away, the deputies stopped her from doing so. The woman was placed under arrest.

Jan. 16: THIEVES CASH IN

8300 Lockwood Ridge Road, Sarasota

Grand theft: The Sheriff's Office was contacted by a store's loss prevention staff after two men entered the store, went to a register and order four $500 gift cards. The cashier loaded the cards and then was asked to retrieve something else the men wanted to buy. The cashier did so, leaving the gift cards unattended. The two suspects were videotaped touching the register and taking the gift cards. They left the store without attempting to pay.

Jan. 19: GOOD THING THE DOG DIDN'T BARK

8200 block of 60th Street Circle East, Sarasota

Domestic disturbance: Deputies responded to the listed location in reference to a domestic disturbance after a husband and wife argued about their cat meowing and about the man bringing home a cold from work. The man tried to disengage from the argument by going into a room and closing the door, but his wife kept following him. The woman became frustrated and called the Sheriff's Office. A deputy recommended both parties separate for the night, but they said they would stay and avoid further conflict.