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Tag: drug bust

Bradenton man arrested for allegedly selling cocaine

Written by Jason Schaffer on . Posted in Community News, Holmes Beach.

HOLMES BEACH – A tip from a witness about a suspected drug deal on March 29 led to the arrest of a Bradenton man on multiple charges, including felony possession of cocaine with intent to sell.

The incident began at 11:36 p.m. when Holmes Beach Police Department (HBPD) Officer Andrew Adkins was dispatched to the 5300 block of Holmes Boulevard after a witness called dispatch, saying she saw a man sell cocaine to another person near a dumpster, according to the police report. The caller said she saw a white male with red dreadlocks wearing a black hoodie and baggy khaki pants selling drugs near a restaurant.

At the scene, Adkins recognized Robert Riddick, 35, of Bradenton, who was familiar to Adkins from previous interactions with the HBPD.

Bradenton man arrested for allegedly selling cocaine
Robert Riddick

“Upon arrival, I turned from Gulf Drive on Holmes Boulevard northbound. I immediately saw Robert wearing a black hoodie and baggy khaki pants smoking near the front of Vinny’s Italian Kitchen and walking away from the CBD shop that Officer Christopher Liotti just pulled up by,” Adkins wrote in his report. “Robert looked at me, put his hood up over his head, and started walking towards the Freckled Fin Irish Pub (also in the 5337 Gulf Drive plaza). I stopped my vehicle and started walking up to Robert. Robert kept walking away from me and walked inside the Freckled Fin Irish Pub so I followed him. While walking behind Robert I could smell a strong odor of marijuana coming from him. Inside the bar Robert stopped so I approached him. The odor of marijuana increased the closer I got to him. Due to this, I had Robert step outside. I knew that Robert’s medical marijuana status was suspended from a previous encounter and that he is also on pretrial release. Robert didn’t initially want to go with me and made comments asking about what he did and how he just got here.”

Adkins said Riddick eventually complied and stepped outside with him, where Riddick continued to deny smoking marijuana and said he had just arrived in the area and only smoked a cigarette. Adkins told Riddick that due to the strong odor of marijuana, he was going to search his pockets for illegal substances. Adkins reported finding a cigarette pack with a marijuana joint inside, as well as a phone wallet containing $111 in cash, six small baggies containing a white powder substance in his left cargo pant pocket and $228 in cash in his right pocket. A field test of the substance was positive for cocaine, which had a weight of 10.7 grams. Riddick was placed under arrest for felony possession of cocaine with intent to sell and violation of his pre-trial release on charges related to a March 12 arrest. He was also charged with possession of marijuana under 20 grams.

“I know based off of my training and experience, when items like that are used together it is indicative of illegal drug sales,” Adkins said. “Also, conditions of Robert’s pretrial release are not to violate any new laws, not take illegal drugs and no possession of prescription medication without a prescription.”

Riddick was taken to HBPD for processing, and after being read his Miranda warning, said he was not selling cocaine but did know his medical marijuana card was suspended, according to the report.

Once the paperwork was completed, Riddick was transported to the Manatee County Jail where he remains in custody on a $3,000 bond. He is scheduled to appear before Manatee County’s 12th Judicial Circuit Court Judge Teri K. Dees on Friday, May 24 at 9 a.m.

Police find drugs, stolen firearm at beach

Police find drugs, stolen firearm at beach

Written by Jason Schaffer on . Posted in Community News, Featured, Holmes Beach.

HOLMES BEACH – A routine check on a vehicle at the 52nd Street beach access turned into an arrest for possession of marijuana, felony grand theft of a firearm and other charges for one suspect.

Officer Christopher Liotti was on routine patrol on Nov. 27 in the 100 block of 52nd Street when he saw a silver Chevrolet Malibu parked with its lights on and engine running at the public beach access. As he approached the driver’s side, the front window rolled and he noticed what he described as a substantial cloud of smoke with the unmistakable odor of marijuana.

Liotti made contact with the driver and two juvenile passengers in the back seat. Due to their age, those involved in the incident were not named, but are referred to as juvenile #1 and juvenile #2 in Liotti’s official report. The driver was ordered to exit the vehicle, handcuffed and placed into temporary custody as Liotti awaited back-up officers. A pat-down did not reveal any illegal drugs or weapons on juvenile #1, who was also cuffed and removed from the vehicle.

This was not the case for juvenile #2.

“During the pat-down of juvenile #2, a large bulge resembling the handle of a firearm was felt outside his right front pants pocket. In an attempt to conceal the item, he tensed his body and pressed against the vehicle,” Liotti wrote in his report. “Upon further inspection, a black handgun loaded with 11 rounds of ammunition was discovered in his pocket. The firearm was handed over to Officer Michael McNamee and the serial number was provided to Holmes Beach police dispatch for an NCIC/FCIC check. Positive results indicated that the firearm was reported stolen from the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office.”

After the three suspects were put into separate patrol vehicles, a search of the vehicle was conducted, yielding a glass pipe, 36 vape pens, a marijuana joint and a large blue container filled with what was later identified as a large quantity of marijuana where the second underage person was seated. There was also a Crown Royal bag containing marijuana, a digital scale, a marijuana grinder and four partial 12 packs of Mike’s Hard Lemonade. Officers contacted the first juvenile’s parents while the second agreed to voluntarily speak to Liotti after being read his Miranda rights.

“He claimed that the firearm was not his, but rather, he was holding it for a friend. He stated that he received the gun a few days ago and offered no specific reason for possessing it, denying any purchase or trade involvement to obtain it,” Liotti wrote in his report. “He asserted carrying it merely because he liked it. He was also informed that the gun was reported as stolen and denied any involvement in the theft. Regarding the narcotics in the vehicle, juvenile #2, post-Miranda, admitted ownership, emphasizing personal use and denial of any intent to sell. He claimed ownership of the scale, indicating a personal interest in tracking marijuana quantity.”

The second juvenile suspect was charged with possession of marijuana over 20 grams and felony grand theft of a firearm. Due to his age, details of his bail and court date are not publicly available.

According to police, the first juvenile also was read his Miranda rights and acknowledged the presence of marijuana in the car but denied knowledge of the firearm. He said their purpose was solely to smoke marijuana. Juvenile #1 received a citation for the possession of marijuana less than 20 grams.

The driver, upon being read his Miranda rights, acknowledged the presence of marijuana in the car but denied knowledge of the firearm. He claimed their intent was only to smoke. The driver, who is listed in the report as under 21 years old, received a citation for the possession of multiple containers of alcohol located in the vehicle.

A field test of the suspected marijuana onsite yielded positive results.

After the evidence was gathered, the parents of both juvenile backseat passengers arrived at the scene. Juvenile #1 was released to the custody of his mother. Juvenile #2’s father was briefed in detail about the circumstances of the situation, provided with case information and given procedural information. 

When weighed at the station, the marijuana found in the large blue container weighed 128.6 grams, while the marijuana in the black container weighed 11.5 grams, totaling 140.1 grams, more than a quarter of a pound. The recovered firearm was secured and placed into an evidence locker by Officer Ryan Welch.

Juvenile #2 was transported to the Juvenile Assessment Center. Staff at the center informed Liotti that he required medical clearance from the hospital due to marijuana consumption. After getting medical clearance from on-site doctors, he was transported back to the jail and released to the custody of the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office.

Liotti’s report also notes that the vape pens found in the vehicle were taken as possible evidence related to a burglary case being investigated by the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office (Case #2023015521). The details of this incident coincide with the firearm found in juvenile #2’s possession. 

Attempts were made to contact Ava Clark, the owner of the recovered handgun, via phone call and text, however, these attempts were unsuccessful. Clark was instructed to contact HBPD regarding this incident.