Baby raccoon safely rescued from Longboat patio

Friday, March 13

Sneaking through

1:17 p.m., 3000 Harbourside Drive

Property damage: Police were called to the security gate of a high-end community after the driver of a Mercedes attempted to rush through the open gate arm behind another vehicle. It did not work, with the gate arm closing atop the car. Police spoke with the security guard who showed the officer a video of the incident. The officer described in the police report that showed the Mercedes attempting to drive through the gate directly behind a vehicle that opened it. The gate arm closed on the second tailgating car, causing damage to the gate arm and wiring. The guard had the name of the driver and license plate number. The officer attempted to locate the culprit to no avail. As he left the community, the guard stated he had fixed the gate and it was once again operating correctly. The case was closed like the gate does immediately after each vehicle.

Saturday, March 14

Car steaming, driver stumbling

2:12 a.m., 1200 Gulf of Mexico Drive

Impaired driver: While on routine patrol early Saturday morning, a police officer notice a car pulled over on the right of way of Gulf of Mexico Drive. The officer activated his emergency lights and approached the vehicle. He noticed the car had steam emitting from the hood. When he approached the window, the driver said he had broken down on the way home. The officer noted that the driver had slurred speech and that the strong odor of an unknown alcoholic beverage emitted from the vehicle. The officer asked the man to exit the vehicle. He obliged, staggering and using the vehicle as support while he did so, the report described. The officer asked the man to perform field sobriety tests, which he refused. The man was arrested on probable cause of driving while under the influence. While at the police station, the man also refused to perform a breathalyzer test. He was charged with driving while under the influence and refusal to submit to testing. He was also issued a parking citation for parking on a right of way with a no parking sign.

Fishin’ for a police visit

1:28 p.m., Hibiscus Way

Citizen assist: Police were called by a Longboat resident who claimed they witnessed people catching undersized fish from the bay behind their home. The caller did not wish to meet with police. When an officer arrived, he noticed “several elderly subjects” fishing from a residential pier. A man on scene told police that the homeowners had recently left and nobody fishing had caught any undersized fish. Police observed no crime and closed the case.

Breaking free from the current

2:56 p.m., 3341 Gulf of Mexico Drive

Marine rescue: Police were called to a Gulf beach after a report of three swimmers who were potentially caught in a rip current. When police arrived, they spoke with the caller who shared that only two swimmers were pulled out by the current and both had made it back safely. Police closed the case.

Bundle of joy

11:55 p.m., 340 Gulf of Mexico Drive

Animal problem: A condo owner called police after she discovered a baby raccoon on her patio. When police arrived, the resident showed the officer the baby raccoon and said she was hoping for help removing the cub. The officer canvassed the area in search for the baby’s family, to no avail. He then used a towel to gently pick up the raccoon. He then met with an animal rehabilitation group to transfer baby raccoon ownership to a new caregiver.