Wet-suit burglar on St. Armands eludes police

Sarasota police and sheriff deputies searched St. Armands and surrounding areas this morning for a burglar wearing a wet suit who was armed with a gun.

According to Sarasota Police Capt. Paul Sutton, at approximately 10:30 a.m., a construction worker discovered the suspect ransacking a home in the 300 block of North Washington Drive. The suspect allegedly pointed the gun at the worker and ordered him to the ground before fleeing the scene on foot.

The agencies searched the area with K-9 units, marine patrol units and the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office helicopter but were unable to locate the suspect. Police believe that the suspect could have swum away from the scene. Traffic was stopped briefly in the area during the search, according to Sutton.

Contact Robin Hartill at [email protected].