Suspects questioned after climbing Quay construction fence

Thursday, May 9

Man of mystery

12:53 a.m., 300 block of Crosby Court

Prowler: An officer responded to a call about a man approximately 40 years old standing in the complainant’s yard and staring at her house shortly after dispatch advised he had left in a silver sedan. The officer spotted the car nearby and “stealthily” approached it, observing a subject matching the description standing near the rear, appearing to be adjusting some equipment that was protruding from the trunk. 

When the officer identified himself, the man told him to perform an explicit physical act upon himself, ran toward the rear yard of a nearby property, jumped the fence and continued fleeing the scene. The officer gave chase before losing sight of the subject.

After the chase ended without success, the officer made contact with the complainant who said she did not notice any missing items from the property. A neighbor said she is acquainted with the man who owns the vehicle, but only knows his first name. Visiting the address where the vehicle is registered, the officer reported not getting a response at the door. Without positive identification of the subject and lacking further information, the case was deactivated.

Saturday, May 11

Debt collector

3:02 p.m., 1700 block of Gore Court

Disturbance: A neighbor has been trespassing in a complainant’s yard on a continuing basis, and the residents had finally had enough and called law enforcement. Officers met with the complainant who stated a man has been walking through their property and bothering them. 

One officer met with the subject who stated he gave the complainant’s father $20 two weeks ago and that he goes to the house to request repayment. Eventually, he told the officer he decided to no longer worry about asking for the money, but was issued a trespassing warning and was advised to cease and desist all contact with the family.

Dazed and confused?

11:56 p.m., 300 block of North Tamiami Trail

Disturbance: Two males were spotted jumping a fence in a construction site in The Quay. A security guard told officers he saw the two leaving the site after climbing the enclosure and continuing southbound on U.S. 41, adding that he did not see them take anything. He advised he would be able to identify the subjects if found.

An officer located both subjects near the Gulfstream Avenue roundabout, read their Miranda rights and began questioning the men. One subject stated they were evicted from The Westin hotel and, having wandered away in an obviously disoriented fashion, became lost. They somehow “accidentally” entered the construction area through an opening in the fence and, rather than exiting the property the same way they entered, instead determined that climbing the fence was a preferable option. One subject said they were inside the construction site only briefly. The other subject refused to speak with officers.

The police report did not verify the veracity of their claimed ejection from the nearby hotel. Unable to make contact with a “key holder” of the construction site to determine whether to press charges, both subjects were released from the scene.

Monday, May 13

Deadbolt displacement

11:38 p.m., 1900 block of Cocoanut Avenue

Family dispute: After 13 years of marriage, a man’s wife changed the lock on the front door and refused to let him enter his house. An officer made contact with the man upon arrival at the home, who advised of the situation at hand. The officer then spoke with the wife who said the couple were going through a breakup and she did not want the man in the house.

The officer explained to her the legal eviction process and how to file for a divorce. It was determined no crime had been committed.