IN BRIEF Hillsborough sergeant arrested over parking space dispute

A Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office sergeant is on administrative leave after being arrested by a Bradenton Beach police officer over an incident involving a parking space.

BY JASON SCHAFFER SUN CORRESPONDENT | jschaffer@amisun.com

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BRADENTON BEACH - A Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) sergeant is on administrative leave after being arrested and charged with obstruction without violence by Bradenton Beach police (BBPD) for allegedly escalating an argument over a parking space.

According to his report, BBPD Sgt. Steve Masi was investigating a fight on July 30 at 6 p.m. over two handicapped parking spaces at a condo complex involving large groups of people. A man later identified as HCSO Sgt. Brendan Fitzgerald claimed a man punched him, but that man claimed it was Fitzgerald that had struck and pushed him first and he wished to press charges. Masi obtained criminal complaints and witness statements from the 13 people involved in the incident, all of whom complied, except for

Fitzgerald, according to the police report.

“Fitzgerald’s behavior went from calm to aggressive very fast and back down as we talked,” Masi said in his report. “He kept saying he was a Hillsborough sergeant and I should take note.”

Masi said he asked Fitzgerald many times to provide identification, but he refused. He then asked Fitzgerald’s girlfriend and family to convince him to identify himself, but he continued to refuse, stating, “I’m a sergeant, I know the law kid, and I’m not identifying.” Masi explained to him that he was investigating a crime that had taken place that he was involved in, and he was required to provide identification. After continuing to refuse after being asked more than 10 times, Fitzgerald was advised he was going to be arrested for obstruction as he knowingly and willfully was obstructing the investigation, according to the report.

“This is a joke and you’re a joke, you can’t take me for obstruction, learn your laws boy!” Fitzgerald allegedly responded.

After placing Fitzgerald under arrest and taking him to BBPD for processing, Masi radioed Officer Thomas Ferrara to come to the police station to observe and document the arrest and take detailed notes on any statements Fitzgerald made during the process. According to a separate report filed by Ferrara, Fitzgerald continued to be belligerent and insult both of the officers, saying things like he had worked with “idiots” like them in the past, and using graphic language.

Fitzgerald was taken to Manatee County Jail on an obstruction charge where he was later released on $120 bond. He is due to appear in court on Wednesday, Aug. 30 at 9 a.m.

The HCSO issued the following statement regarding the arrest:

“The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office has placed a sergeant on administrative leave after he was arrested in Manatee County on July 30, 2023. Brendan Fitzgerald, 52, was charged with obstruction without violence by the Bradenton Beach Police Department after an argument over a parking spot.

“Sgt. Fitzgerald’s behavior is inexcusable,” Sheriff Chad Chronister said. “He will now face the consequences for his actions.”