Sarasota County Crime Stoppers

Fraudulent Use of Credit Card
August 15, 2018

Armed Bank Robbery
July 26, 2018

The Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office is currently conducting an investigation following an Armed Robbery in Venice.

Deputies were called Wednesday afternoon just after 1:30 p.m., to the BB&T bank located at 160 Pointe Loop Drive. According to witnesses, the suspect showed a handgun while demanding cash, before possibly fleeing westbound on foot.

The suspect is described as a white male between 40 and 50 years old. He is believed to be approximately 5’10” tall with a medium build. At the time of the incident, he was wearing a dark colored button-down shirt, jeans, and a cowboy hat.

Anyone with information is asked to contact our Criminal Investigations Section at 941.861.4900. Citizens can also submit an anonymous tip to Crime Stoppers of Sarasota by dialing 941.366.TIPS.  Reference Case Number 18-61197

Fraudulent use of Credit Card
June 28, 2018

The victim believes he left his wallet on top of his vehicle while pumping gas at Shell North located at 13280 Tamiami Trl, North Port.  The card was utilized twice at Shell North, and again at the ATM inside  Marathon located at 13501 Tamiami Trl  on 05/27/18.  The unknown subject above was driving a dark gray vehicle, possibly a Volkswagon Passat or Jetta, wth a sunroof and spoiler.

If you have any information on the unknown pictured subject or vehicles, please contact Crimestoppers of Sarasota by calling 941-366-TIPS or online at www.sarasotacrimestoppers.com. 

Ref NPPD 2018-05-1336

Counterfeit Checks at Publix
June 28, 2018

The unknown female subjects above are part of a ring that are uttering counterfeit checks at supermarkets.  The photos above are from Publix located at 1251 S Toledo Blade Blvd, North Port.  The victim’s checks are all accounted for, but the account information (checking account number and bank routing number) was on a check for a different bank in the amount of $486.95.  

If you have any information on the subjects, please contact Crimestoppers of Sarasota by calling 941-366-TIPS or online at www.sarasotacrimestoppers.com.

Reference NPPD case number 2018-05-0007

Retail Theft
June 21, 2018

The Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office is currently investigating a two retail thefts that occurred at Gulf Coast Sunglasses in Venice.

The pictured unknown male subject stole Maui Jim sunglasses from Gulf Coast Sunglasses, located at 4177 S Tamiami Trail, in Venice on 05/18/18 and 06/08/18.

If you have any information on the unknown pictured subject, please contact Crimestoppers of Sarasota by calling 941-366-TIPS or online at www.sarasotacrimestoppers.com. Reference case number 18-48459

Vehicle Burglary - Attempt to Identify
May 29, 2018

The Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office is currently investigating a Vehicle Burglary that occurred on 05/12/18 in Venice.

On 5/12/2018, while the victim was shopping at Walmart, located at 4150 S. Tamiami Trail, in Venice the pictured suspects burglarized his vehicle. The suspects backed into the parking space next to the victim and entered the store.  After exiting at 1300 hours, the suspects stole a GPS and various DVDs and CDs from the victim’s vehicle and drove off in the pictured four door SUV.

If you have any information on the subjects or vehicle, please contact Crimestoppers of Sarasota by calling 941-366-TIPS or online at www.sarasotacrimestoppers.com. Reference case number 18-32988

Fraud- Attempt to Identify
May 10, 2018

Armed Robbery Five Guys
May 05, 2018

The Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office is currently investigating an Armed Robbery that occurred on 5/3/18 in Sarasota.

Armed Robbery Longboat Key
April 10, 2018

On 04/10/2018 at approximately 10:24 P.M. a husband and wife were the victim's of an Armed Robbery/Attempted Carjacking while in the parking lot of their condominium/residence located in the 2200 blk of Gulf of Mexico Drive, Longboat Key, FL. The suspect vehicle driven by 27 YOA Latarious Harvey pulled in behind the victim’s vehicle, Harvey remained in the suspect vehicle while two B/M suspects exited and proceeded to rob the victim’s at gun point. Longboat Key Police Detectives are seeking the identity of this person in reference to the Armed Robbery Investigation. If you have information please contact Crimestoppers of Sarasota by calling 941-366-TIPS or online at www.sarasotacrimestoppers.com

FPH Fatal Traffic Crash
March 01, 2018

Sarasota, Fla – On February 10, 2017 at 10:42 pm, the Florida Highway Patrol investigated a four vehicle crash on State Road 610 east of Lockwood Ridge Road. Katarina Huffman, a 20-year-old female, was driving a 2005 Ford Mustang eastbound on University Parkway in the inside lane. A 2015 Nissan Altima, driven by Patrick Wiese, a 56-year-old male was traveling westbound on University Parkway in the center lane. A 2015 Honda, driven by Ariana Padron, a 20-year-old female, was traveling westbound on University Parkway in the center lane behind the Nissan Altima. A 2017 Freightliner truck, driven by Pedro Emilio Cardoza-Gome a 42-year-old male, was traveling westbound on University Parkway in the outside lane.

The on-scene investigation revealed the 2005 Ford Mustang crossed the grass median, for reasons that remain under investigation and entered the westbound lanes. As a result, a traffic crash occurred between the Ford Mustang and the three other vehicles involved. Katarina Huffman was pronounced deceased on scene.

In February 2018, a new witness contacted the Florida Highway Patrol advising that an unknown vehicle, described as a black or grey Nissan Altima or possibly a Honda two-door veered toward the Ford Mustang as it traveled eastbound on University Parkway. In doing so, the front left of this unknown vehicle struck the right front of the Ford Mustang causing the Ford Mustang to cross the median and travel into the westbound lanes. The unknown vehicle was additionally described as having a black bumper sticker with white writing on the bottom right bumper. The unknown vehicle fled the scene after making the initial contact with the Ford Mustang.

If anyone has any information regarding the unknown vehicle or any information regarding this traffic crash, please contact  Crimestoppers at 941-366-TIPS. 

Theft from Target
January 25, 2018

On 01/04/18 the pictured suspects stole a 55 inch Vizio TV from the Target at 5350 Fruitville Road then later the same date they attempted to steal speakers and diapers from the Target at 8401 S Tamiami Trail, but employees recovered the items.  They left in a blue pickup, possibly a Ford Ranger. 

North Port PD Homicide
January 12, 2018

On 1/10/18 at 1:30am, two black males wearing masks entered the home at the 8100 block of Porto Chico Avenue in North Port Florida.  As a result 19-year-old Trent Bartol-Thomas was shot and killed.  The suspects were seen leaving in a light colored vehicle.

Business Burglary
December 21, 2017

Robbery by sudden snatching at UTC mall
December 14, 2017

On 12/14/17 at 1100 hrs, the suspect entered Kay’s Jewelers located at the UTC mall in Sarasota.  Upon contact with the sales associate, the suspect requested to see two diamond engagement rings.  While holding two of the rings, he asked to see a third.  At that time, the suspect snatched the ring out of the associate’s hand and fled the mall. 

The suspect is described as a 45-55 yr old Hispanic male, 6’0” 225 lbs.  He was wearing a blue/white plaid shirt, dark pants, and black shoes.  The suspect left in a 2000’s silver Chevy compact car with black rims.

If you recognize this suspect, you are asked to contact Crimestoppers of Sarasota by calling 941-366-TIPS or online at www.SarasotaCrimestoppers.com  

Shooting at residence in North Port
November 16, 2017

The North Port Police Department is asking for the public’s help to identify the shooter in an early evening shooting on November 16th. Officers were called to the scene of one person shot on Herbison Ave. The suspect had already fled. Officers and K9 Officers attempted to locate the suspect, however were unsuccessful. 

If anyone has any information related to this crime please contact Crime Stoppers of Sarasota by calling 941.366.TIPS or online at www.SarasotaCrimeStoppers.com.

Theft from Macy's at UTC
November 05, 2017

Armed Robbery 5100 Fruitville Rd.
October 13, 2017

The Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s help to identify a suspect who robbed a Sarasota gas station early Friday morning.

Deputies were called to Shell at 5100 Fruitville Road, at 3:30 a.m., for reports of an armed robbery. According to the store clerk, the suspect approached him while he was standing outside and led him into the store at gunpoint. The suspect demanded cash and fled on foot westbound on Fruitville Road. Deputies and Venice Police Department K-9 units responded and attempted to locate the suspect however, were unsuccessful.

The suspect is described as a white male in his mid 30’s with an average build, approximately 5’10” tall, and 180 lbs. At the time of the robbery, he was wearing a black t-shirt with a light-colored long sleeve shirt underneath it. The suspect also had a t-shirt wrapped around his face and wore work gloves. 

If anyone has any information related to this crime please contact Crime Stoppers of Sarasota by calling 941.366.TIPS or online at www.SarasotaCrimeStoppers.com.

Theft from VPD
October 06, 2017

Armed Robbery 7-11
September 30, 2017

Update: Another robbery occurred in Manatee County on 10/1 at 2340 hrs, at the 7-eleven on Pearl Avenue/US 41.  The suspect, a black male with dreads, is likely the subject from the robbery in Sarasota.  he was wearing the same clothing and used the same verbiage when demanding cash from the clerk.

The Sarasota County Sheriff's Office is currently conducting an Armed Robbery investigation.  

 Deputies responded to the 7-11 store located at 5420 N. Lockwood Ridge Road in Sarasota, shortly before 6:30 a.m. Saturday morning for reports of an armed robbery. 

The suspect was armed with a silver handgun and fled the store with the cash drawer. The suspect fled westbound on DeSoto Road in a silver four-door sedan. He is described as a black male in his early twenties, wearing a black hoodie, dark jeans, black sneakers and gloves. 

Anyone with information related to this incident is asked to contact Crime Stoppers by calling 941.366.TIPS (8477).

Venice Police Department- Burglary
September 28, 2017

On Thursday 9/14/2017, a Victim had her purse stolen from her vehicle at Maxine Barret Park (1800 S. Harbor Dr) after 7:00 PM. The Victim’s credit card was used at the Venice Walmart (4150 S. Tamiami Trail) the same evening at 7:57 PM.

The pictured female was dropped off by a dark colored van or SUV at the North east corner of the parking lot closest to the garden center. The female exits through the garden center after using the card and is picked up by the same vehicle at the same drop off location.

A dark SUV was observed at Maxine Barrett Park next to the Victim’s vehicle backed in with a white female driver before the crime occurred.