Sarasota County Sheriff's Office - Sarasota County Sheriff's Office Press Releases

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IN THE NEWS

Date: 10/31/2012

Released by : Wendy Rose

Press Release#: 12-195

Armed Robbery Suspects Impersonate Law Enforcement

The Sarasota County Sheriff's Office is searching for two armed robbery suspects who witnesses say impersonated law enforcement officers while committing their crime.

The 24-year-old complainant said a man named “TJ” picked him up around midnight to go buy drugs. The man said TJ stopped at a house near Dr. Martin Luther King Way and Chester Avenue and a black Crown Victoria with a flashing bubble light pulled up behind them.

The complainant said two black males wearing jackets with the word “SWAT” across the front and black masks exited the car and threatened him and TJ with a handgun and a pump shotgun. Both men were reportedly robbed of cash, cell phones, an X-box gaming system and games. The complainant said he and TJ took off in different directions and the suspects fled the scene.

Anyone with information on this crime, the suspects involved or the vehicle is encouraged to call Criminal Investigations at 941-861-4900 or leave an anonymous tip with Crime Stoppers by calling 941-366-TIPS (8477), online at www.sarasotacrimestoppers.com or via text message by texting TIP109 plus a message to CRIMES (274637).

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IN THE NEWS

ANNUAL REPORT The 2012 Annual Report is now online. Under the "News" tab click "Notices and Publications." | FACEBOOK Find us on Facebook by visiting www.facebook.com/SarasotaCountySheriff | NEWSLETTER The June issue of Sheriff Knight's newsletter "Behind the Badge" is now online under the News tab. | FLORIDA PAWN ACT We have a web page for burglary victims whose property is found in a Florida pawn shop. Look under the Public Interest tab. | CRIME STOPPERS: Submit a tip on a crime or wanted person by clicking "Crime Stoppers" on the Quick Links section of the home page or call 941.366.TIPS. | ANIMAL SERVICES: To see animals available for adoption, click on "Public Interest" and "Animal Services." | WARRANT SEARCH: Click on the "Corrections" tab and choose Warrant Search from the dropdown menu. | CRIME MAPPING: To view crime mapping for Sarasota County, choose it from the Quick Links box on the home page or under the Public Interest tab. | JAIL VISITATION: To schedule jail visitation online, click on "Corrections" and then "Visitation & Mail." | YOUTUBE CHANNEL If you haven't visited our YouTube channel lately, click the button on the home page to watch behind-the-scenes videos and news clips.