ANNA MARIA – Holmes Beach resident Cash John Nichols, 27, has been arrested and charged with criminal mischief after being denied a ride on one of the free trolleys that serve Anna Maria Island.
“The trolley made its last stop at the Anna Maria City Pier at 10:15-10:20 (p.m.) that night and the driver refused to take a patron because he had no shoes on,” Manatee County Sheriff’s Office Dep. Patrick Manning of the Anna Maria Unit told The Sun regarding the Feb. 11 incident. “The patron became upset and in a fit of rage caused over $200 in estimated damage to the trolley’s door windows.”
Nichols was arrested on March 8 and charged with one first-degree misdemeanor count of criminal mischief for damages between $200 and $1,000.
According to the arrest complaint, “The driver of Manatee County Transit trolley 63861 stopped at the bus stop of 100 S. Bay Blvd. Trolley camera footage showed a white male with a beard and no shoes approach the doors in order to ride the trolley home. The driver denied the male access due to him not having any shoes on. The male then became argumentative towards the driver, at which point the driver closed the doors. The male then began hitting the glass on the doors with his fists, causing it to crack. After causing the damage, the male walked away. The damage was estimated at $500.”
According to the arrest complaint, “The male was identified by Deputy Manning as Cash Nichols. Additionally, on the same date (approximately one hour later), Deputy Penberthy made contact with Cash Nichols at the post office across the street from the incident location. Prior to making contact, a passerby informed Deputy Penberthy that they had spoken to the defendant (Nichols) and the defendant stated he was denied bus access due to not having any shoes on. The defendant requested a ride and was ultimately transported by Deputy Penberthy. Based on the circumstances, probable cause exists to charge the defendant with criminal mischief greater than $200 and less than $1,000.”
When speaking to The Sun, Manning said, “Through a couple weeks of investigation by the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office, a suspect was developed and confirmed through the trolley driver and the trolley’s on-board cameras. Our trolley buses have cameras that face the doors and also inside the trolleys. Through interviews and the video obtained from the Manatee County Transit Authority, the suspect was identified and arrested on a misdemeanor charge of criminal mischief to public property. It was a joint investigation between Det. Hartsell, who serves as our criminal investigator, along with the Anna Maria deputies. He wrote the warrant based on our identification of the suspect who was known to us. Up until recently, he had been a resident of Anna Maria. By the address he provided, he’s now a resident of Holmes Beach.”
The probable cause affidavit lists Nichols’ current address on Marina Drive in Holmes Beach.
According to court records, Nichols was released on bond and a misdemeanor arraignment hearing is scheduled for Monday, April 11 at the Manatee County Judicial Center before Judge Renee Inman.
Speaking on behalf of Sgt. Brett Getman, Manning said, “The Manatee County Sheriff’s Office works very hard to protect the ever-increasing amount of visitors and the residents on our Island. Sgt. Getman feels that whether you live here or vacation here, we can’t tolerate you intentionally damaging public property. That will not be tolerated and you’ll be identified and arrested.”
Previous arrest
According to court records, Nichols was previously arrested in Anna Maria in 2018 and charged with assault on a Manatee County Sheriff’s Deputy, possession of drug paraphernalia and resisting, obstructing or opposing an officer without violence.
On Feb. 28, 2022, after multiple delays and court appearances, Nichols entered no contest pleas on all three charges stemming from his 2018 arrest. As a result of those pleas, he was placed on probation and assessed $796 in fines, fees and court costs.
