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Man jumping from bushes raises officer’s suspicions

The man, an overnight truck driver, said he just likes going to the beach at night. This and other Longboat Key Police reports in this week's Cops Corner.


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Friday, Jan. 5

Hot tub hazard

11:03 a.m., 600 block of Saint Judes Drive

Disturbance: An officer was dispatched to investigate a dispute involving a construction crew. At the scene, the officer saw the construction crew operating equipment to remove a large hot tub from a residence. But the equipment was blocking the roadway, thus disrupting traffic. Drivers expressed concern, and the officer spoke with the crew who said they would quickly finish up. 


No turn around 

2:47 p.m., 800 Marbury Lane 

Disturbance: A civil disturbance prompted Longboat Key police response. Upon arrival, the officer spoke with the complainant who said she had an argument with a delivery driver about using her driveway to turn around. No threats were reported, and, after the officer spoke with both parties, he helped guide the delivery truck safely out of the neighborhood. 


Just needed a jump

5:21 p.m., 2400 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive 

Disabled Vehicle: An officer noticed a vehicle parked on the side of the road and pulled over to investigate. The driver explained that his car had died, and, after lending a helping hand, the officer and driver were able to start the car. 


Where to now? 

8:45 p.m., 600 block of Bay Isles Parkway

Suspicious Vehicle: Longboat Key Police responded to a reported suspicious vehicle. The woman driving the van said she had just parked for a few minutes to decide where to drive next. The officer advised her that the park was only open until 11 p.m., to which she replied that she would be gone before then. 


Monday, Jan. 8 

Jump scare!

4:19 a.m., 7000 block of Firehouse Road

Suspicious Person: While on patrol, an officer observed a man “jump out of the bushes” in this location. The officer spoke with the man, who said he was on the phone with his brother because he is an overnight truck driver. He also wanted to mention that he likes coming to the beach at night. 


Almost famous

4:40 p.m., 800 block of Penfield Street

Suspicious Person: Dispatch was alerted to a report of two men standing on rocks on the beach because the caller was unclear if it was private or public property. Upon police arrival, an officer spoke with the two men who were standing near a vehicle parked on the road. One said that his friend was filming him playing guitar on the rocks for a music video because it had a great view of the bay. The officer stated that someone had called 911, and the two apologized for the confusion. 


Wednesday, Jan. 10 

Illegal dock usage, nets OK though 

9 a.m., 100 block of Sand Point Road

Suspicious Incident: A marine patrol officer spoke with the president of a condominium association about a suspicious incident. The president said mullet fishermen were using seine nets on and around the private docks a couple days ago and had received the tip from a cellphone video. 

He said he was unsure if the use of nets was illegal, but the dock was clearly labeled as private property. The officer said the nets were legal, but using the dock was not. He also advised that the president should contact the police right away if this happens again in the future. Then the officer was able to contact the owner of the vessel and spoke to him about the complaint. The fisherman said one of them was on the dock for no more than a minute, but that they were not aware it was a private dock. 


Lost in safe keeping 

11:40 a.m., 5700 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive 

Officer Public Service: Police were sent to a report of a missing bicycle. While the officer was speaking with the complainant, another person returned the bike. She said she saw the bike out in the open and, due to the storm, moved it to a storage location after speaking with the management office. 


Thursday, Jan. 11

Maybe a bit shaken up 

9:07 a.m., 3100 block of Bayou Sound

Animal Problem: A concerned citizen reported a raccoon jumping and appearing unwell. Upon arrival, the officer found the raccoon to have calmed down, but possibly injured. The raccoon left the location under its own free will, and the two went their separate ways. 

 

author

Carter Weinhofer

Carter Weinhofer is the Longboat Key news reporter for the Observer. Originally from a small town in Pennsylvania, he moved to St. Petersburg to attend Eckerd College until graduating in 2023. During his entire undergraduate career, he worked at the student newspaper, The Current, holding positions from science reporter to editor-in-chief.

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