OMG PD: Gator Bites Suspect; Pepper Spray Incident; Man Shot in Rear End Twice

12-Year-Old Questioned in Middle School 'Pepper Spray' Incident

School buses rolled out about 40 minutes later than usual May 3 at McLane Middle School in Brandon, where a chemical spray released earlier in the day, in a school hallway, injured 93 people, including 37 who were transported to the hospital with what were reported to be "very minor injuries."

While a press conference was being held outside the school, after the final school buses left for the day, a 12-year-old student was being detained in the principal's office, according to Major Clyden Eisenbergy of the Hillsborugh County Sheriff's Office.

"At this time we have a 12-year-old student who we're questioning as a suspect in this case," Eisenberg said. "There's evidence to suggest that this 12-year-old student dispersed this agent."

The chemical agent, "more than likely some type of attack repellent," is likely to be "pepper spray" or a "mace-type spray," he added.

Police: Sarasota Man Ran Large-Scale Marijuana Operation From His Home

A 66-year-old Sarasota man faces a drug charge, after police allege that he ran a large-scale retail marijuana operation that involved receiving weekly deliveries of high-grade cannabis at his home that he repackaged into smaller quantities and sold at a profit.

Sarasota Police Chief Bernadette DiPino held a press conference Monday, May 6, to announce the arrest of Anthony Snead, in connection to a six-month undercover operation. He was charged with possession of  cannabis with intent to sell.

Detectives estimate that Snead paid approximately $780,000 to $1 million per year for the cannabis, which he then resold for more money.

A man tried to sell 25 brass vases that had been stolen from plots at a Bradenton cemetery, authorities said Wednesday.

Deputies were conducting an inspection at All American Metals recycling center, 5013 15th St. E., on May 3 when a man drove up in a minivan and unloaded a five-gallon bucket filled with broken cemetery vases, the Manatee County Sheriff's Office reports.

An employee notified the deputies that the man, later identified as 38-year-old Ronald Marlow, was trying to turn the vases in for cash. Deputies obtained an arrest warrant for the man, tracked him down and arrested him on a charge of dealing in stolen property.

The vases had been stolen from cemetery plots throughout Manasota Memorial Park, 1221 53rd Ave. E., sometime between April 27-30, the sheriff's office said.

Alleged Bradenton Bank Robber With Knife Caught Minutes Later

Deputies apprehended a man Monday who they say minutes earlier robbed a Bradenton bank while armed with a large knife.

The man parked his car in a handicapped parking spot in front of the Bank of America, 3401 Cortez Rd. W., around 11:03 a.m., the Manatee County Sheriff's Office reports. He entered and informed tellers he was robbing the bank, showing them a large knife that had been partially concealed at his side, according to the report.

The man demanded money and was handed over a small sum, authorities said. No one was injured, but a security guard followed the man's getaway car. Brenan Cole Fountain, 31, was pulled over at 11:12 a.m. and arrested.

Deputies: Fleeing Suspect Bitten by Alligator

A 20-year-old man fleeing authorities following a traffic stop was able to get away from the deputies chasing him, but not from an alligator.

Bryan Zuniga, who was pulled over by the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office at 2:47 a.m. May 9 for failing to maintain a single lane, later showed up at a local hospital with multiple puncture wounds to his face, arm and armpit area, telling authorities an alligator attacked him near a water treatment plant in unincorporated St. Petersburg.

According to authorities, as they attempted to stop Zuniga, he jumped out of the passenger side door and fled from the scene near the 7100 block of 78th Avenue North, kicking a hole through a fence to make his escape.

He was found a few hours later at the hospital, saying he had been attacked by the gator. 

Alleged Tape Measure Tosser Charged with Throwing Deadly Missile at Vehicle

An Indian Shores man was recently arrested after he allegedly tossed a tape measure at a truck and attacked the driver at the Largo Mall on April 3.

Arrest records show Nicholas James Stadtler, 34, was standing outside a vehicle parked in front of Famous Footwear at the mall when he began yelling at another driver to go around his vehicle.

As the other vehicle drove around Stadtler's, he threw a metal Stanley measuring tape at the victim's truck, striking the back window and damaging the glass, according to a Largo Police report.

After the elderly victim got out of the vehicle, police say Stadtler struck and kicked the victim to the ground, injuring the man. Stadtler fled the scene before authorities arrived, but they were able to use surveillance footage to identify and track him down.

Subway Tip Jar Thief Arrested

William Murray, 32, was charged with felony petty theft after officials say he took a tip jar off the counter at Subway, 40188 U.S. 19 in Tarpon Springs, around 11:30 p.m. on May 4.

The Tarpon Springs resident took the tip jar from the counter and proceeded to enter the restroom of the establishment, according to an arrest affidavit. 

Police say Murray then emptied the contents of the jar, which came to about $6, and pocketed it. 

Man Shot in Rear Twice; Cops Trying to Find Shooter

New Port Richey Police are looking for help to identify a man they say entered a home last Friday and shot a man inside twice in the "rear end area."

The shooting took place around 1:30 a.m. May 2. Police say a man entered the home, shot a man inside twice and then left. 

Detective Sgt. Mike Anderson said it appears the shooter used a 9mm handgun.

The victim, whose name isn't being released by authorities, was treated at a local hospital. He was later released.

Teens Defecate in Vacant Home

Teens burglarized a vacant Newhall Pass Lane home in Wesley Chapel and apparently urinated and defecated inside of it, authorities said.

Patrol deputies found a group of individuals at the home April 23, including some who were walking from the abode’s rear where a broken window was discovered, according to a Pasco County Sheriff’s Office report.

Authorities found a cell phone inside the home that belonged to one of the individuals, the report stated. There was also an odor of excrement and a puddle of suspected urine.

Two teens were arrested and taken to the Juvenile Assessment Center, the report stated. It is unclear whether the others involved were arrested as well.

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