BRADENTON BEACH – Daiquiri Deck manager and Sarasota resident Tabatha Lynne Dondanville, 27, has entered a plea of not guilty to a felony charge of grand theft.
According to Manatee County Court records, Dondanville is accused of stealing $20,000 from a purse left behind by Daiquiri Deck customer Jasmine Bryant on Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 7.
According to the probable cause affidavit that arresting officer, Bradenton Beach Police Sgt. Lenard Diaz, filed with the Manatee County Clerk of the Circuit Court, “The victim, Bryant, and her girlfriend were at the Daiquiri Deck on Bridge Street. While eating, Bryant laid her purse containing $20,000 cash on the chair beside her. Upon finishing their meal, they got up and forgot the purse on the chair.”
The original complaint arrest affidavit – a separate document obtained directly from the Bradenton Beach Police Department – refers to Bryant’s girlfriend as her fiancé, Emmanuella Saintcyr. That document notes the couple was staying nearby when the incident occurred.
According to the probable cause affidavit, “The cameras showed an employee picking up the purse then later giving it to the defendant. It was placed in the manager’s office, where the money was (allegedly) stolen by the defendant.”
According to the arrest affidavit, “The victim stated she called the restaurant and was told the victim did not leave a purse there. The victim went to the restaurant the next morning. The victim stated she talked to the opening manager, Samantha Mitchell, and that Samantha told her the purse was not found and she had to contact the closing manager.
“The victim advised that’s when she called the police and suddenly her purse appeared from the manager Samantha, but the purse was empty and the money was gone. The victim advised there was a note in the bag that said, ‘Found in the bathroom,’ ” according to the arrest affidavit.
“The video showed the hostess finding the purse on the chair and placing behind a computer near the hostess station. The purse sat on the counter for approximately 20-30 minutes until the male waiter grabbed the purse and walked into the kitchen where the night manager, Dondanville, was at.”
Money returned
“Later in the day, the girlfriend called the manager, Samantha Mitchell, and spoke with her. Samantha admitted to the victim that they did find the money and that it was on its way back to the restaurant as they spoke. The victim decided not to wait and walked over to the restaurant and recorded their conversation with Samantha. On the recording you can hear Samantha stating the money is coming back from Sarasota. Approximately 15 minutes later, Samantha brought a plastic bag with all of the victim’s money in it,” according to the arrest affidavit.
At approximately 3:45 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 8, Diaz noticed he had a voice message on his phone.
“It was the victim that had left me a message stating that she got her money back from the manager. The victim stated that approximately 1316 hours (1:16 p.m.) she received a call from the manager, Samantha, that she knew where her money was and that if they did not get the police involved that would get her the money back,” according to the arrest affidavit.
Diaz then returned to the restaurant to speak with Samantha Mitchell.
According to the arrest affidavit, “I asked who took the money and Samantha stated, ‘Do I have to tell you?’ I asked Samantha if she wanted to be a witness or an arrestee, because she was more involved than I thought at first. Samantha responded with hesitance and answered, ‘I guess a witness.’ I asked her if she was sure because I could arrest her because of her accessory to the crime. Samantha stated she would rather be a witness. I advised her that I was going to need her to write an affidavit of involvement and she agreed. I asked Samantha again who took the money. She hesitated and said, ‘Tabatha.’ ”
Arrest made
“I asked Samantha to please go get Dondanville. Samantha and Dondanville entered the office a short time later and at this time I began to read Dondanville her Miranda rights. I asked Dondanville who took the money and Dondanville stated, ‘I did.’ Dondanville stated that she had taken the money right after myself and Lt. Cosby left the office the morning the victim called the police, and the reason she took it was because nobody had claimed the money. At this time, I advised Dondanville that she was under arrest for grand theft of $20,000,” according to the arrest affidavit.
“I took Dondanville to the police department. While at the station, Dondanville stated she didn’t understand why she was being arrested because she brought the money back. I advised Dondanville that the statute for grand theft reads: ‘If you temporarily or permanently deprived the owner of their property (money) you have committed a crime.’ I advised Dondanville that she only did bring the money back when they made a deal with the victim that the police would not be involved,” according to the arrest affidavit.
Dondanville was transported to the county jail and later released on a $7,500 bond.
According to Manatee County court records, attorney Ronald Filipkowski filed a not guilty plea on behalf of Dondanville on Sept. 14. An arraignment before Judge Gilbert Smith Jr. is scheduled for Friday, Oct. 2.
When contacted on Monday, Sept. 28, a manager at the Bradenton Beach Daiquiri Deck declined to comment on the incident and whether Dondanville and Mitchell were still employed there.
According to Sarasota County court records, Dondanville entered a plea of nolo contendere (no contest) in 2011 after being charged with petit theft.
According to the notice to appear dated May 20, 2011, “The defendant (Dondanville) placed a shirt, skirt and necklace in her purse then attempted to leave without paying for the items. Security stopped her and retrieved the items. The defendant admitted post-Miranda to the crime.”
