Gas pump incident leaves dispute over fault

Monday, June 8

The peek of curiosity

8:45 p.m., 1600 block of 21st Street

Suspicious person: A K-9 unit and two other Sarasota police officers responded to a suspected prowling incident in which the complainant described a man creeping about the multifamily property peering into vehicle windows and looking over a fence surrounding an adjacent construction site.

The woman said he was last seen walking south on Gregg Street, where officers made contact. The subject said he was walking to a friend’s residence and acknowledged he was in the parking lot in question, further explaining his friend asked him to look for a black Honda belonging to a woman he suspected was cheating on him. 

He denied looking into any vehicles, but did confess to looking over the fence into the construction area. While being interviewed, he often rambled about unrelated topics and events, according to the incident report. He did not consent to a search of his person but said he was in possession of a phone that belonged to his friend and it was in his back pocket. 

There was no evidence the man attempted to enter a vehicle, but the complainant did request the subject be placed on a trespassing notice from the apartment community. 

Tuesday, June 9

Gas splash

9:18 p.m., 1000 block of North Tamiami Trail

Dispute: Because of an alleged fuel dispensing nozzle malfunction, a woman entered the convenience store to report she couldn't stop the pump from operating and “it began spraying fuel everywhere,” according to the incident report. She said after she advised a store clerk about the matter she was disregarded and told the store was busy.

A verbal argument ensued before staff eventually stopped the pump and the Sarasota County Fire Department responded to clean the gasoline spill. The driver was then handed a receipt, which included all of the gas that was inadvertently dispensed, and the officer advised the woman regarding how to dispute the payment. Staff advised they would review security footage to determine if the incident was indeed a malfunction or operator error. No further action was taken.

When you gotta go

9:10 p.m., 1400 block of Main Street

Larceny: The owner of a restaurant called dispatch regarding a dine-and-dash incident. An officer met with the complainant, who advised the subject was in the restaurant the prior week when commerce as usual was conducted. On this night, however, the man walked toward the back of the restaurant as if to visit the restroom, but instead continued out the back door, disappearing into the darkness of the back alley.

Video footage provided a clear description of the man and a still image was uploaded into an evidence database, although his identity could not be determined. The restaurateur did not wish to press charges, but said he wanted to have the man trespassed should he return, and to have the incident documented for now.