The Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office will use enhanced traffic enforcement over the next few weekends to keep streets safe and take impaired drivers off the road.
Deputies will use “saturation patrols” this weekend and over the Memorial Day holiday weekend to look for traffic offenses, motorists driving without a license, those with warrants and drunk drivers.
Instead of setting up what is known as a DUI Checkpoint, a number of Patrol and Traffic deputies will work targeted zones at the same time and monitor the activity of motorists. These saturation patrols will take place in different areas of the county.
“Aggressive drivers and people who get behind the wheel while impaired put themselves and others at risk,” said Sheriff Tom Knight. “We want citizens and visitors to know we are working diligently to ensure their safety on Sarasota County roads.”
The Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office has arrested two Sarasota teenagers for beating a third teen at Siesta Key beach just after midnight on May 6, 2013.
Witnesses say Devin Roman, DOB 10/7/94, 6051 McKown Road, Sarasota, and a 15-year-old boy, attacked 17-year-old Chance Prater after he tried to intervene when the two threatened to beat up his friend. Roman and his co-defendant punched Prater several times and ultimately rendered him unconscious. Witnesses also reported that the 15-year-old suspect ordered them not to assist the victim.
During the investigation detectives learned that Roman and his co-defendant were at Walgreen’s about an hour after the crime and were overheard discussing the attack. The 15-year old had blood on his hands and the two paid with a blood-stained $5 bill.
Roman and his codefendant are charged with one count each of misdemeanor Battery. It is the first arrest for both teens. Detectives would still like to speak with anyone who has additional information about this case. Contact Det. McGath, 941.861.4928.
The Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office today announced the results of “Operation Red Flag,” a crime reduction initiative designed to enhance the safety of local citizens.
Using Intelligence to Action (I2A), the agency’s intelligence led policing model, deputies developed a proactive plan to deter crime in north Sarasota County, particularly near 17th Street and Lockwood Ridge Road north to University Parkway and unincorporated areas to the west, where a number of burglaries were occurring.
The operation included the arrest of three teenagers – who upon further investigation were ultimately connected to at least 28 vehicle burglaries, two auto thefts and the fraudulent use of a credit card. In all, the results of Operation Red Flag included:
The arrest history of these offenders is of great concern. The 53 people arrested have 418 prior felony charges and 487 misdemeanors. Only a quarter of those cases resulted in convictions, and while some of these subjects served jail time, only eight of the 53 people arrested have ever been sentenced to state prison for their crimes.
“Our system of intelligence gathering and data analysis gives us the ability to rapidly respond to an increase in reported crimes,” said Sheriff Tom Knight.
“Because crime is transitory in nature, we will continue to use special operations, directed patrols and community oriented policing to deter or displace high-risk individuals and prolific offenders where and when the need arises to keep the citizens of Sarasota County safe and preserve the quality of life they expect.”
The Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office has arrested John Villecco, DOB 3/5/91, 1803 Tarpon Avenue, Sarasota, for selling a variety of narcotics from his home.
Members of the Special Investigations Section went to the Tarpon Avenue home today with a search warrant and three arrest warrants for Villecco stemming from prior drug purchases by undercover detectives. During the search they also found marijuana, cocaine, Oxycodone and Subutex, some of which were individually packaged for sale.
Villecco is charged with three counts for the Sale of Cannabis, two counts for the Sale of Subutex, one count each for the Sale of Cocaine and Xanax, and one count each for Possession of Cannabis with Intent to Sell within 1,000 feet of a Daycare, Possession of Oxycodone with Intent to Sell within 1,000 feet of a Daycare, Possession of a Controlled Substance (Subutex), Possession of Cocaine and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.
This is Villecco’s 12th arrest for crimes including burglary, weapons and drug charges.
