Cops Corner: Deputy takes a bite out of crime

Jan. 5: SUSPECT WAS FIRED UP

9500 block of State Road 64 East, Bradenton

Burglary: The Sheriff's Office was notified that an unknown person or persons entered two School District of Manatee County buses and removed a fire extinguisher from each. The suspect or suspects then entered another bus and discharged the fire extinguishers inside of it. The suspect or suspects then threw the empty fire extinguishers over a fence on the property at Freedom Elementary School and fled the area.

Jan. 5: THIEF WANTED TO TRADE

6200 block of State Road 64 East, Bradenton

Petit Theft: A man went into a department store and was observed by security officers as he went to the men's department and selected a coat. He put on a coat valued at $27.82 and put the one he was wearing into his empty cart. The man proceeded to the grocery section of the store, then left the facility without paying for the coat he was wearing. He left behind the one he had worn into the store. The man was arrested by Sheriff's Office deputies and transported to jail.

Jan. 6: ONE WAY TO KICK A HABIT

7100 block of Chatum Light Run, Bradenton

Robbery by sudden snatching: A woman placed an ad on an internet site for the sale of her electronic cigarette. A man responded to the ad and told her to meet him. The woman had her boyfriend drive her to the meeting place and once they arrived, the suspect approached and asked to see the E-Cig. The woman handed it to her boyfriend, who showed the man. The suspect reached inside the car, grabbed the I-Cig and ran. The suspect was not located.

Jan. 6: A BITE OUT OF CRIME

8300 Lockwood Ridge Road, Sarasota

Battery, petit theft: A Sheriff's Office deputy was in the parking lot of a department store when a female employee yelled to him that a female was stealing from the store. The deputy attempted to stop the suspect, who had several stolen items in her hands. The deputy attempted to detain her, but the suspect kicked him and bit his hand. The deputy found warrants on the suspect, arrested her and told her to jail.

Jan. 11: COME BACK WHEN YOU HIT THE LOTTERY

8400 block of Lockwood Ridge Road, Sarasota

Trespass Warning: A man who had been frequently seen loitering in the area was told by a local businessman to leave the area. The businessman contacted the Sheriff's Office. The businessman said he had asked the man several times in the past to stay away from his business. The deputy approached the man, who was seated in his car with a pile of lottery tickets in his lap. The deputy said the man offered his some lottery tickets, and the deputy "politely declined." The deputy made sure the man understood the trespass warning and the man left the property.