MANATEE — Authorities arrested a woman on charges she pulled a 17-year-old girl out of her car and beat her at a stoplight in a road rage incident, according to the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office report.
Sheriff’s reports said that just after 3 p.m. Thursday the victim claimed Rosa Ayala-Rodriguez, 46, cut her off while driving on 53rd Avenue West, and she made an obscene gesture at Ayala-Rodriguez in response.
When the two stopped at a traffic light at 53rd Avenue West and 14th Street West, the victim said Ayala-Rodriguez got out of her car, pulled the victim out of her vehicle, punched her several times and pulled her hair.
Ayala-Rodriguez was arrested on a charge of battery and has since been released from the Manatee County jail on $750 bond.
Tow truck driver beaten
MANATEE — A tow truck driver told authorities one of his customers hit him over the head with a flashlight after paying for his tow, according to a Manatee County Sheriff’s Office report.
The victim said Thursday, he towed the vehicle of Jose Rivera-Garcia, 29, to the 5800 block of 15th Street East after he called for help.
After the tow, the driver asked for $80, which he said Rivera-Garcia paid.
When the two truck driver turned around, he said Rivera-Garcia hit him over the head with a flashlight and went for the money.
The men fought, and the tow truck driver escaped to call 911.
Deputies captured Garcia-Rivera nearby and arrested him on an aggravated battery charge.
He was being held in the Manatee County jail without bond.
Police: Kids found ‘deplorable’
BRADENTON — A Bradenton mother has been arrested on charges she smoked crack in front of her young children, did not bathe them and did not treat bleeding diaper rash on her baby boy, according to a Bradenton Police Department report.
Police reports say a family member of Dina M. Daw, 25, called authorities when she saw Daw’s children, ages 11 months and 2 years, in “deplorable” condition.
Both children appeared not to have been bathed in weeks, and the baby had untreated diaper rash, the police report said.
Daw admitted to officers she smoked crack in front of her children the day before.
Officers arrested Daw on a charge of child neglect on which she was being held in the Manatee County jail on $1,200 bond.
53 cemetery vases stolen
MANATEE — A local cemetery reported thieves stole 53 bronze vases from graves Wednesday afternoon, according to a Manatee County Sheriff’s Office report.
A maintenance supervisor reported the vases stolen from Manasota Memorial, 1221 53rd Ave. E., to the sheriff’s office. Each of the vases is valued between $100 to $150.
Deputies believe someone stole the vases between 5 p.m. Tuesday and 2 p.m. Wednesday.
Anyone with any information on this case can contact the sheriff’s office at 747-3011 or call Crimestoppers at (866)634-TIPS.
Judge struck by car
SARASOTA — A Sarasota circuit judge was taken to the hospital with injuries after being struck by a car while walking across the street Thursday morning.
Sarasota Police Capt. William Spitler said just after 9 a.m., Judge Rochelle Curley was struck at Ringling Boulevard and East Avenue while walking to court.
Curley suffered non life-threatening injuries.
Spitler said Rochelle was walking in a crosswalk when a 70-year-old driver, heading east on East Avenue, hit her.
Spitler said the crash is still under investigation, but it appears the accident was unintentional.
The driver is expected to be cited.
“He just didn’t see her,” Spitler said.
— Robert Napper and Beth Burger
Police briefs are compiled from reports from the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office, the Florida Highway Patrol, the police departments from Bradenton, Palmetto and the island communities and fire departments in Manatee and Sarasota counties. Those with information about crimes can call Crimestoppers at (866) 634-TIPS (8477).
Email Story
Printer Friendly 
Quick Job Search
@Nyx.replyAnswerText@