ANNA MARIA – An incident report obtained from the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office, and additional documents received from the city, provide more details about an AirTag tracking device previously discovered in a work vehicle driven by Anna Maria Public Works Manager Dean Jones.
Jones filed an incident report with the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) on Nov. 12. The report lists Jones as the reporting party and the victim. The incident report lists “install/use tracking devices/apps illegally” as the offense code.
The alleged AirTag surveillance activity is referenced in the civil lawsuit former city treasurer LeAnne Endres (previously named Addy) filed against the city of Anna Maria on April 9.
The lawsuit complaint alleges that in or around September 2025, Endres was in City Clerk Amber LaRowe’s office with LaRowe and then-Code Enforcement Manager Dave DeZutter when LaRowe and DeZutter suggested tracking Jones by hiding an AirTag tracking device in his work vehicle without his knowledge because they deemed him to be “suspicious.”
The lawsuit complaint states Addy/Endres advised LaRowe and Dezutter against using an AirTag and suggested they look into a Verizon employee tracking service instead, which would allow them to properly track employees with their permission and notification.
According to the lawsuit complaint, “On or around Nov. 10, 2025, Jones verbally reported to plaintiff (Addy/Endres) that he found an AirTag hidden in his work vehicle. Plaintiff did not provide an immediate response to Jones, as she saw a need to first consult with Short and LaRowe.”
MCSO REPORT
According to the MCSO incident report, “On Nov. 12, 2025, the reporting party (Jones) responded to TRU (telephone reporting unit) to report a found tracking device in his work vehicle. According to the reporting party, he is the public works manager for the city of Anna Maria. He drives a work vehicle daily and the vehicle remains in the work parking lot overnight, with the keys secured at the city hall.
“On Friday, Nov. 7, 2025, the reporting party received a notification on both his personal and work iPhone about a tracking device being near him for an extended period of time. The reporting party became concerned and downloaded AirGuard, an app designed to locate trackers. The reporting party then located the Apple AirTag in the rear seat area of the vehicle, under 2 layers of carpet,” the report says.
“The reporting party spoke with his direct boss, the mayor (Mark Short), who advised that he was unaware of the install of the trackers, however it was something that was being discussed internally with the city. The mayor advised he would investigate the situation and get back with the reporting party, however nothing ever came of it. The reporting party does not have any enemies or any person he would believe would install a tracker on the vehicle, other than internal personnel,” the MCSO report says.
“The AirTag’s serial number is HW1JL8EGP0GV and still remains on the vehicle. At this time, the reporting party does not want a criminal investigation to be conducted and he simply wants this documented. He also wishes to not have his place of employment contacted. The reporting party advised when he decides to change his mind and move forward with a criminal report, he will return to TRU and advise at that time,” the report says.
The MCSO report contains a supplement dated Nov. 13 that says, “Ronald (Jones) spoke with supervision again and they claimed to have no knowledge of trackers being installed in vehicles. Based on that information, he requested to have this changed to a criminal incident. Ronald brought in the AirTag, which was placed into D1 Property and Evidence.”
CITY CORRESPONDENCE
On Nov. 13, LaRowe sent an email to DeZutter, Jones, Short and others that said, “Please have all vehicles at city hall on Monday, Nov. 17 at 9:30 a.m. The vehicles will be installed with asset tracking devices by Verizon. This includes golf carts, side-by-sides, gators, trailer, GMC Sierra, Ford Maverick, Jeep Wrangler, skid steer and John Deere zero turn mower.”
According to the lawsuit complaint, “On Nov. 17, 2025, at 10:18 a.m., plaintiff engaged in protected activity when she reported the information she received from Jones on November 10, 2025, in an email to Short and LaRowe. Plaintiff noted in her email that she was requesting confirmation that tracking devices or monitoring tools were not being used on any employee of defendant (the city).
“Approximately five minutes later, at 10:23 a.m., in retaliation for plaintiff’s protected report, plaintiff received a termination notice from Short via email with an offer for voluntary resignation. Defendant failed to provide a cause for plaintiff’s termination,” the lawsuit complaint states.
After terminating the city treasurer, Short provided a statement to The Sun that said, “As of Monday, Nov. 17, City Treasurer LeAnne Addy is no longer employed by the city of Anna Maria.”
On May 20, The Sun requested a copy of the tracking device-related email exchanges that took place between Addy/Endres, LaRowe and Short on or around Nov. 17, as referenced in the lawsuit complaint.
On May 21, The Sun received a copy of an email Addy sent LaRowe and Short. The Nov. 20 date listed on the Addy/Endres email The Sun received differs from the Nov. 17 date referenced in the lawsuit complaint, but the email contents appear to be the same.
The Addy/Endres email provided to The Sun says, “I am formally documenting that on Nov. 10, 2025, an employee entered my office and reported that he believed he was being tracked by an AirTag placed in a city-owned vehicle. As city treasurer, I am obligated to document and forward any information involving potential misuse of city property or possible violations of employee privacy or safety. I am submitting this report in good faith and in accordance with established city procedures.
“Given the nature of the concern raised, I respectfully request written confirmation that no tracking devices, AirTags, GPS systems, monitoring tools or other location-based technologies are being used on me, or on any city-issued equipment assigned to me, without my knowledge and prior notice. This request is intended solely to ensure compliance with city policy, employee privacy protections and applicable Florida law. It is not an allegation toward any individual or department, but a routine and appropriate inquiry based on information presented to me,” Addy/Endres stated in her email.
VEHICLE POLICIES
On May 8, LaRowe distributed an email to city employees that said, in part, “I would like to provide clarification regarding the authorized use of city-owned vehicles and equipment. Unless specifically authorized as part of assigned job duties, city vehicles and equipment are not to be used in a personal capacity or for personal errands, including travel off the Island unrelated to official city business.
“Please also be reminded that city vehicles and operational equipment may contain GPS tracking, telematics or other monitoring systems utilized for operational oversight, safety, maintenance and accountability purposes. Employees and supervisors should understand that unauthorized use of city vehicles, equipment or tools may result in corrective action. Please reply confirming receipt and understanding of the expectations outlined above so we may ensure consistency across departments,” LaRowe’s email stated.
On May 21, The Sun received a copy of the draft version of the six-page document referred to as the “2026 Anna Maria Vehicle & Equipment Use Policy.”
Regarding the authorized use of city vehicles, that document says, “City vehicles and equipment shall be used solely for official city business and operational purposes. Vehicles and equipment are provided based upon operational need and are not considered employee benefits, personal assignments or forms of compensation.”
Regarding GPS, telematics and monitoring, the draft document says, “City vehicles and operational equipment may contain GPS tracking, telematics systems, cameras, monitoring devices or other technology utilized for operational oversight, safety, fleet management, equipment maintenance, accountability, route verification, investigations, policy compliance and emergency response coordination.
“Employees shall have no expectation of privacy regarding the use, location, operation or monitoring of city vehicles or equipment while conducting city business. Tampering with or disabling monitoring systems is prohibited,” the 2026 policy document says.
In a May 21 email to The Sun, LaRowe said City Attorney Becky Vose approved the draft version of the vehicle policy document that would soon be distributed to city employees. LaRowe said the new vehicle and equipment use policy does not require city commission approval.
The Sun also received a copy of the city’s 2022 motor vehicle policy. The 2022 policy document lists several rules and regulations pertaining to the use of city vehicles, but does not reference GPS, AirTags or any other tracking devices or surveillance activities associated with city-owned vehicles.
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