COPS CORNER 10.23.18

WINTER GARDEN

Oct. 21

3300 block of Daniels Road. Petit theft. At about 8:10 p.m., a law-enforcement officer responded to the big-box retailer because of a reported shoplifting incident. According to the police report, employees provided the officer with a physical description of the male suspect, who allegedly selected a glue used for wood and a Gorilla-brand glue in the hardware department, concealed the items and then suddenly ran to the exit of the store, where he was stopped by employees. The suspect initially pretended to cooperate and walk back into the store with the employees but then fled the store in a sprint. Employees informed the officer of the general direction the suspect went. Assisting police officers found an individual matching the provided description near a Cracker Barrel. The individual was identified as the suspect, arrested and charged with resisting a merchant and petit theft.

Oct. 15

Stoneybrook West Parkway. DUI. At about 11:15 p.m., a police officer saw a vehicle approach the traffic light at Stoneybrook West Parkway and County Road 535 at a high rate of speed and fail to stop behind the white stop bar, nearly striking the police officer’s vehicle. According to the police report, the driver’s vehicle also failed to maintain its lane of travel and nearly struck a cement wall dividing Stoneybrook West Parkway and State Road 429. The driver then overcorrected and swerved the opposite way across two lanes of traffic, leading the police officer to suspect the driver was impaired or in need of medical assistance. The officer conducted a traffic stop and requested official documentation from the driver, but the driver instead provided a receipt for an oil change from a vehicle-maintenance shop. When asked for proof of insurance, the driver then showed the officer a photo of his driver’s license on his cellphone. At this time, the officer requested the driver exit the vehicle. The driver stumbled while exiting and spontaneously uttered, “I don’t even drink,” before any questions were asked. The driver consented to perform exercises intended to gauge his level of sobriety, but he did not perform them adequately. 

OCOEE

Oct. 23

10500 block of West Colonial Drive. Petit theft. At about 1:05 p.m., a police officer was dispatched to a big-box retailer in reference to a potential retail theft. According to a police report, the officer was advised en route to the scene that two suspects were exiting the store, and one of them was in possession of a pair of scissors. Upon arrival, the officer detained the two suspects and removed the scissors. According to an employee, the two suspects were seen using the scissors to remove a Playstation 4 controller secured to a peg hook in the electronics department. The two then concealed the item in the men’s clothing department and walked out of the store without paying. The controller costs about $46, the report added. 

Oct. 16

Marshall Farms Road. Revoked license. At about 1 p.m., an officer on patrol in Ocoee noticed a white Honda Odyssey on West Colonial Drive using a temporary tag that had expired in June. After conducting a traffic stop, the officer discovered the driver of the vehicle did not have a driver’s license and was aware the tag had expired. According to a police report, the driver said the vehicle belonged to his wife, who had since moved to New York after they split up. He has been living in the vehicle. Dispatch advised the man’s license was revoked in 2011, and the tag belonged to a different vehicle. The driver was arrested and given citations for driving with a suspended license as a habitual offender, unlawful use of a temporary tag, no motor vehicle registration and attaching tag not assigned (to a particular vehicle).