Police seek citizens' help in Jewfish case

Last week, Longboat Key police asked the public to help identify four individuals who allegedly broke into a Jewfish Key home in May. Since then, police have received multiple tips from Sarasota and Manatee Crime Stoppers.

“We have a few responses looking like they could be helpful,” said Longboat Key Police Capt. Kris Roberts.

According to a police report, officers responded May 18 to Jewfish Key in response to a call from the La Lenaire Drive home’s alarm company. The key holder, who is a friend of the homeowner, told police that he found the home’s west sliding glass door open. Nothing was missing from the home, and there were no apparent damages.

Surveillance footage captured three females and one male. Two of the individuals entered the home, and two appeared to stand lookout.

Jewfish Key is an island accessible only by boat that is located in the town’s jurisdiction. Police are occasionally dispatched to the island and its nearby sandbar, which is popular with local boaters, because of complaints about noise and parties, but burglaries are rare on the island.

One north-end resident told police he often sees the group partying on a boat under the Longboat Pass Bridge according to Roberts, who believes the suspects could be charged by the end of the week.

Roberts has a theory about why the group might have entered the home:

“If I had to make a bet, I would think they might have had to go to the bathroom,” she said.

A reward is available for the suspects’ arrests.

If you have information, contact Sarasota Crime Stoppers, sarasotacrimestoppers.com, or Manatee County Crime Stoppers, manateecrimestoppers.com.

Contact Robin Hartill at [email protected].