Sheriff's office warns residents of new scam | Crime

Sarasota, Florida -- The Sarasota County Sheriff's Office is warning all citizens, business owners and managers in particular, about three suspicious incidents that recently occurred and are under investigation.

Authorities say in each case, a person called local restaurants claiming to be a police officer reporting that another manager was under arrest. The caller claimed that he needed to set up a meeting place to receive bond money so the manager in custody could be released from jail.

The sheriff's office says to be clear, it is not a law enforcement practice to contact someone on behalf of an arrestee to arrange bond. In addition, bond would only be arranged at the jail or with a licensed bail agent at their office.

Under Florida law, the person or persons perpetrating this crime can be charged with Falsely Personating an Officer, a third degree felony or more, depending on the circumstances of the crime.

Anyone with information about this or similar crimes is encouraged to call Criminal Investigations at 941-861-4900 or leave an anonymous tip with Crime Stoppers by calling 941-366-TIPS (8477), or online at www.sarasotacrimestoppers.com or via text message by texting TIP109 plus a message to CRIMES (274637).