Air-1 Aids in Apprehension of Siesta Key Prowler

NEWS RELEASE 18-045 - MARCH 2, 2018



The Sarasota County Sheriff's Office arrested a man Wednesday for Loitering and Prowling after members of the Aviation Unit and Patrol Bureau worked together to track him down on Siesta Key.

Deputies were initially called to the 5800 block of Midnight Pass Road just before 10:30 p.m. for reports of a man standing in a car port with his pants down. As deputies arrived, the man fled on foot across nearby properties and through various carports. Thanks to communication between ground units and members of the Aviation Unit, James Runge, DOB 04/12/65, was quickly located and detained. Through further investigation, deputies identified Runge as the suspect from a similar incident earlier in February on Siesta Key.

Runge was taken to the Sarasota County Jail and charged with Trespassing, Loitering, and Resisting an Officer without Violence. He was released Thursday on $2,120 bond however, additional charges are pending. Runge has prior arrests in Sarasota County from the 1990’s for Indecent Exposure and Prowling.