Longboat Key Cops Corner: A rock-solid explanation

May 18

What’s the rush?

10:10 a.m., 7000 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive

Traffic: An SUV traveling at a high speed passed an officer on patrol. The officer pulled the vehicle over and issued a written warning for speed.

Rock-solid explanation

10:43 a.m., 6000 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive

Suspicious person: Police were dispatched to a home on Gulf of Mexico on a report of a suspicious person on the premises. Police arrived to find a 25-year-old man breaking up a concrete patio behind a home. He had related equipment with him and said he was being paid to not only demolish the patio, but also remove it. Officers reported nothing suspicious.

Paws on the beach

2:16 p.m.., 3200 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive

Animal complaint: Police were sent to the beach to look into a report of a dog on the sand. When an officer arrived, he found the dog and owner and explained that pets lacking proper Americans with Disabilities Act certification were not permitted on the beach. The owner was unaware of the local regulations and immediately removed the dog.

Location, location, location

3:02 p.m., 5400 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive

Code enforcement: Police on patrol found and removed six open house signs in various locations. The signs were either improperly placed or were of a size inconsistent with town code. They were placed in the town’s containment area for seized temporary signs behind Town Hall.

No means no

3:05 p.m., Greer Island

Beverage violation: Two women, who were told by an officer as they approached the beach that alcohol was not allowed, were issued notices to appear in Manatee County court on open-container violations. The officer reported seeing them on the beach with open containers. Their criminal backgrounds were found to be clean.

Still working

5:36 p.m., 4700 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive

Rescue: Police were called to a resort on a report of an elevator rescue, though when officers arrived they found both elevators operating property and no one trapped.

Who’s there?

8:52 p.m., 600 block of Hide Away Bay Drive

Suspicious person: Police were called by a resident reporting two suspicious people at the front door. The caller told the man and woman at the door police would be called if they didn’t leave. The pair, dressed in swim attire, ran off. Police found the couple nearby and said they had been left behind at the beach by friends. The couple’s criminal background was checked and found to be clean. They called for a ride-sharing service to take them home.

Some friends, huh?

10:31 p.m., 700 block of Hide Away Bay Lane

Suspicious person: A man sitting in front of a house drew the attention of a caller who reported a suspicious person in the neighborhood. Police spoke to the man who said he had been at the beach but was separated from his friends, had no money or means of contacting them. The officer offered a ride to Bradenton Beach, which the man accepted. He was dropped off adjacent to the south beach access point.

May 19

Too late or too early

12:23 a.m., 100 block of Broadway Street

Parking: A truck parked in an area marked with a sign prohibiting parking between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. was ticketed.

A vehicular mystery

3:36 a.m., 5400 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive

Suspicious vehicle: A southbound vehicle that abruptly pulled off the highway when an officer pulled out behind it piqued the officer’s interest. The vehicle then turned around and headed north, pulling in again not far away. Once the officer spotted the vehicle again, the driver had disappeared. The vehicle had signs of recent damage and carried a license plate that did not match the car’s identification number. The car radio also was on the floor. The driver was not found.

Your papers, please?

8:44 a.m., 600 Bayport Way

Public service: A person who recently purchased a car called police inquiring about the steps required to legally drive it on the road. The officer explained the dealership had properly transferred the registration but the caller said there was no paperwork provided. The officer explained the caller should contact the dealership and get copies of all the paperwork involved in the sale of the car.

But, but . . . it’s hard to do

11:54 a.m., 200 block of North Shore Road

Parking: Right in front of a sign that states only parallel parking is permitted, police ticketed a truck parked in a non-parallel fashion.

Turtle help

1:22 p.m., Off the Key

Animal assistance: Mote Marine Laboratory called police seeking assistance with a report about an entangled sea turtle. Police found a small turtle near a crab trap, but it wasn’t immediately clear if the turtle was tangled, though it appeared lethargic and skittish. Mote personnel tried to capture it, but were unable. Mote personnel said they would try to monitor the turtle from shore and would call again if needed.

Somewhere else to go

3:35 p.m., Greer Island

Beverage violation: Police walked up to a group consisting of two women, a man and a toddler if their cooler contained alcohol. The man opened the cooler to reveal several unopened beers. The group was asked to remove the alcohol from the beach, but they decided to leave instead. ‘’

May 21

No patient here

9:57 p.m. 2600 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive

Alarm/rescue: Police and fire-rescue personnel responded to an activated medical alarm and had to gain entry to a unit. Once inside, no patient could be found. A property manager said no one was staying in that unit now, and the alarm company advised the alarm was a false one.