MANATEE — The Manatee County Sheriff’s Office conducted an underage drinking operation Saturday using juvenile confidential informants to visit convenience stores and bars/restaurants throughout the county.
A total of 49 establishments were checked. Employees at 21 of the establishments were charged with selling/serving alcohol to minors and were issued a notice to appear.
Among those cited: Parrish General Store, 12324 U.S. 301 N.; BP Gas Station, 12205 U.S. 301 N.; 7-Eleven, 8705 U.S.301 N.; Chevron Gas Station, 6402 U.S. 301 N.; Ruby Tuesdays, 5802 20th St. E.; Dizzy Peacock, 1318 10th St. W.; Sopranos, 8744 S.R. 70 E.; BP Gas Station, 8406 S.R. 70 E.; Banana Factory, 6916 14th St. W.; Cottage Mini Mart, 6123 26th St. W.; Shell Gas Station, 5704 14th St. W.; Texaco Gas Station, 6920 14th St. W.; Citgo Gas Station, 6619 14th St. W.; Chili’s, 3611 1st St. E.; The Distillery, 108 44th Ave. E.; Antojitos Mexicanos, 320 Cortez Road W.; Cody’s, 894 Cortez Road W.; Hooters, 4908 14th St. W.; Wing House, 5105 14th St. W.; Aces Lounge, 4343 Palma Sola Blvd.; and Tequila Beach, 7423 Manatee Ave. W.
Hit-and-run driver collided with trooper
PALMETTO — A driver lost control of a pickup truck after hitting standing water, crossed the median of U.S. 301 near Canal Road, struck a Florida Highway Patrol vehicle traveling in the opposite direction about 8:53 p.m. Sunday, and then fled the area.
The trooper, who swerved to avoid the oncoming truck, suffered minor injuries, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
The FHP is looking for a dark-colored pickup truck with damage to the left side and the left rear. The left rear taillight was broken.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the FHP at (239) 938-1800, ext. 118 and leave a message for Lt. Vincent Crawford.
Man charged with sexual battery on a 5-year-old
MANATEE — A 37-year-old man was arrested Friday and charged with sexual battery on a 5-year-old girl.
According to a Manatee County Sheriff’s Office report, the young girl told her grandmother and a family therapist about the abuse.
After Manatee County Children’s Protective Services personnel questioned the girl and her sister, the sheriff’s office arrested James Gallagher at his mother’s home in the 6900 block of Stetson Street Circle, Sarasota.
Gallagher was being held in the Manatee County jail as of Monday without bond.
After escape from hospital, man arrested
MANATEE — Deputies located and arrested a man who was wanted in Pinellas County, but not before being chased as he fled a hospital emergency room.
Frank McDowell, of Frisco, N.C., was headed to Pinellas County, where he was wanted on an outstanding warrant when he became a victim of a crime.
While in the Manatee Memorial Hospital emergency room at about 7 p.m. Saturday being treated for wounds to his back and shoulder, he jumped off the examination table and ran out of the hospital door.
After about a 40-minute search, a sheriff’s office tracking dog located McDowell, 37, hiding in a tree.
He was being held in the Manatee County jail on a $50,750 bond and charged with escape and resisting arrest without violence.
— James Jones and Carl Mario Nudi
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