Latex-glove wearing Uber driver spooks Longboat riders

Tuesday, Sept. 30

For the Gram

4:02 p.m., 6665 Gulf of Mexico Drive

Suspicious person: Three people parked in front of a modern Gulf side mansion, took out their phones and video recorded themselves, prompting a call to police from neighbors who witnessed the spectacle on their house cameras. Dispatchers were told the three emerged from a white, hardtop Jeep with large tires, which police saw driving on Gulf of Mexico Drive shortly after the call was placed. Police logged the license plate number before inspecting the residence, which showed no signs of forced entry. The case was then closed.

Wednesday, Oct. 1

Girl problems?

6:19 p.m., 5000 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive

Suspicious Person: Police were called on a man laying near the shoreline near a beach access of a condo complex on a Wednesday afternoon, though the caller wished not to be involved and left the area before police arrived. When an officer arrived on scene, they saw a shirtless man lying near the shoreline close to the beach access of the condo complex wearing “zipped and buttoned” blue jeans. The man told police that he was dating a girl who lived in a nearby complex and that he didn’t have a full-time residence. Then, the man began to become “hostile and uncooperative,” and police and paramedics attempted to determine whether he was intoxicated, though they could not say whether or not he was, and no scent of alcohol was observed by the officer. He refused to stand, refused paramedic attention and refused to give his phone number. Police determined he did not meet the criteria for the Baker Act or Marchman Act, and they closed the case and let the man be.

Dumpster diving dame

11:15 p.m., 505 Bay Isles Road

Suspicious person: A supervisor of a drug store was checking the premises upon closing time when he witnessed a woman in the dumpster in the rear of the building and a car parked in the fire lane. Police responded and spoke to the woman, who said she had permission from the company to be in the dumpster area. Police asked if she needed help, she said no, and police closed the case.

Thursday, Oct. 2

Uber driver spooks riders

10:52 p.m., Bayview Drive

Suspicious person: Two female Uber riders ended their ride from the airport to a Longboat residence early when their driver donned sunglasses at night and put on what appeared to be latex gloves. The riders requested to be dropped off at a family friend’s house rather than their residence out of safety. After drop off, the driver “unreasonably stayed in the area,” prompting a call to police. An officer arrived and searched the area for the vehicle, which was not seen before determining the license plate of the vehicle through the Uber app and identity of the driver through police databases. No warrants were listed for the driver, and his whereabouts were unknown. Police escorted the two riders to their house, ensured their alarm was active, and closed the case.