Cops Corner: Sarasota 08.27.15

Aug. 21

BRANCHING OUT
9:56 a.m. — 1700 block of 32nd Street
Dispute: A woman reported that she got into an argument with a neighboring man who was throwing yard waste behind her home. After witnessing him throwing a large branch into the city right of way near her house, she confronted the man, who became argumentative with her. The woman also called city code enforcement staff, who scheduled a yard waste pickup date with the man for next week.

SIGNING OFF
1:25 p.m. — 1000 block of Indian Beach Drive
Theft: A woman reported that three juveniles knocked on her door and asked her to sign a petition, which had several signatures and a Sarasota County logo. The woman signed the petition and went back into the house. When she turned around a few seconds later, she saw one of the juveniles riding off on her daughter’s bike. Sarasota County staff affirmed the existence of a program in which children gather signatures in their neighborhoods, but the last three individuals to express interest in that program said they haven’t participated yet. The woman later found the stolen bike parked at a nearby grocery store and recovered her property.

CHALK SQUAWK
2:08 p.m. — 1000 block of Putnam Drive
Dispute: A woman said her neighbor was throwing chalk at her door and yelling obscenities in her third call to police that day. When officers arrived, the man was singing outside his front door. Officers found no chalk on the woman’s doorstep. The man said he did not do anything, and that all of the woman’s reports were false. Officers told the man to keep it down or go inside, and told the woman to contact the police if the man acts up again.

Aug. 24

CARRIED OUT
11:45 a.m. — 1400 block of First Street
A security guard at a grocery store observed a man putting together a to-go box in the hot foods area with meatloaf and ziti. The man then shoved the food down the front of his pants. The guard stopped the man and directed him to the back of the store. An officer arrived at the scene and questioned the man, who said he was hungry. The man was trespassed from the property.

HOSED
6:15 p.m. — 1200 block of 35th Street
Suspicion: A man reported that a pickup truck connected a hose to a fire hydrant at the intersection and filled a tank full of water. The pickup truck was there for approximately 15 minutes, and the man stated this is not the first time such an incident has occurred.