Witness breaks up a fight in a rolling vehicle

Saturday, April 4

Fight ruins woman’s nails

1:08 a.m., 1500 block of First Street

Fight: Another demonstration that little good happens after midnight resulted in the arrest of one man on multiple charges related to a fight.

Several officers were engaged in dispersing a scuffle between two men who were handcuffed and separated as the investigation into the incident ensued. Both men told officers they did not wish to prosecute the other for the mutual combat situation, but eventually were left with no choice in the matter. 

One combatant’s female companion repeatedly attempted to insert herself into the fracas, and was described in the incident report as extremely intoxicated. Although she had noticeable scratches on her arms, she did not wish to speak with officers.

Although both men, who were heavily intoxicated, were not initially cooperative, one officer coaxed the man who was eventually arrested into stating he was hit by the other man and, when his female companion got involved, pushed but did not strike her “as he did not want to hurt her,” according to the report.

The other man then chimed in, “He ruined her nails. … You shoved me you piece of (euphemism for excrement)!”

Based on the totality of the circumstances, officers determined probable cause to arrest the nail-ruining subject on charges of disorderly intoxication and battery. The other man declined a Marsy’s Law packet and walked away.

Sunday, April 5

Screeching beach preaching

7:12 p.m., 2200 block of Benjamin Franklin Drive

Disturbance: Responding to a call about a disturbance at Ted Sperling Park, officers observed a woman yelling at bystanders who had gathered on the shore to witness a pleasant sunset. 

Using an amplification device, the woman was shouting comments of an “apocalyptic biblical nature,” according to the incident report, positioning herself as the arbiter of those who are destined for eternal damnation. She was described as clad in a brown robe with a rope belt and a tallit — a Jewish prayer shawl — draped over her head. Sitting on the beach nearby was the woman’s husband, who was informed her behavior was classified as a breach of peace. 

He responded by attempting to calm the woman, who only became more enraged, waded about 30 feet into the water and continued to yell even after the man was able to take the microphone from her. The husband then suggested several times that perhaps the best course of action was for police to shoot her.

When she exited the water, the woman was cuffed and began to resist, screaming that officers were breaking her arm, that God had forsaken her and that law enforcement should shoot her. Although the beachgoers may or may not be destined to spend eternity in the sweltering abyss, the woman was bound for Sarasota Memorial Hospital under the Marchman Act.

Monday, April 6

Rolling rumble

11:15 p.m., 3400 block of North Tamiami Trail

Disturbance: Two men were apparently fighting in the front seat of a moving vehicle that eventually stopped in the median. That is where two officers responded to a call from a third party who observed the incident, describing the SUV as slowly rolling out of a parking lot and into the median as a passenger was on top of the driver, engaged in fisticuffs.

Another witness said he opened the door of the vehicle once it stopped and yelled at the individuals to stop, at which point what appeared at first glance to be the assailant jumped out and asked for help. The driver proceeded northbound. Both witnesses offered similar descriptions of the driver and the vehicle.

While speaking with the now-apparent victim, officers observed his right eye as red and surrounded by scratches, and red markings on his back. He stated he was went to the store to buy a pack of cigarettes when an approximately 18-year-old male pulled up next to his vehicle in the parking lot and asked him if he wanted to buy “weed,” an offer he declined. The man then asked him to purchase wraps for him, setting off an argument when he refused.

The man told officers he had $3,500 in cash in his pants pocket — proceeds from selling a vehicle for work — which he surmised the assailant was able to see. He said the man exited his vehicle, grabbed the cash and, as he attempted to re-enter his vehicle the scuffle ensued.

Jumping into the vehicle, he proceeded to choke the man he claimed purloined his cash, which is when the two witnesses happened upon the scene.

Video footage of the incident confirmed the victim’s story. What wasn’t clear was whether the assailant actually took anything from the victim, who said he doesn’t wish to press charges. The disposition of the alleged $3,500 was not included in the report.