Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Prostitution arrests down in Manatee

Prostitution arrests are down for the county, according to an investigator at Manatee County Sheriff’s Office.

Arrests have decreased because investigators consistently conduct stings in various locations – including 14th Street West - on a regular basis. Part of the decrease may also be due to the economy, he said.

Several undercover detectives went to local spas and lingerie shops Tuesday night where they were offered sex acts in exchange for money, resulting in the arrests of three 20-something women.

One woman at one of the shops stated, “It was her first week on the job,” when asked about one of the women arrested, the detective said.

Perhaps that’s what made the operation a success. Prostitutes tend to be guarded.

“They are tough to get,” he said. “These girls are really leery.”

A detective, who worked in the sting, stated he believes many of the businesses are a front for a prostitution ring.

-- Beth Burger

Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Manatee sheriff's office: Pursuit followed policy

By BETH BURGER
bburger@bradenton.com

MANATEE - Manatee County Sheriff’s Office investigators are reviewing a deputy initiated pursuit that ended in the death of a 54-year-old St. Petersburg man after the 16-year-old suspect ran a red light.

Manatee County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Charles Wolfinger noticed 16-year-old Ramesse Harris was behind the wheel of a stolen white Lexus SUV at 9:40 p.m. Friday in the 2700 block of First Street.

Manatee County Sheriff’s Office Dave Bristow said that under sheriff’s office policy, all pursuits are reviewed. He noted that in this case, Wolfinger had terminated the pursuit just before the crash occurred.

“We didn’t find any problems with it. It followed all of our pursuit procedures,” Bristow said.

Read more below the fold.