Bradenton Beach man arrested by HBPD for DUI

By ryan Paice islander reporter

Holmes Beach police arrested Bradenton Beach resident Kevin Branigan, 59, April 11 on a seconddegree misdemeanor for allegedly driving under the influence of alcohol.

Branigan also was charged with misdemeanors for driving without a license and failing to register his vehicle.

An officer saw a motorist in the 2700 block of Gulf Drive on a moped with no taillights and no plate, so he conducted a traffic stop, according to an incident report.

After initially failing to respond to the officer’s emergency lights, the officer activated his siren and the motorist pulled over.

The offi cer spoke to the motorist, identifi ed as Branigan, who said the person who sold him the moped told him he did not need a license or registration to drive it.

The officer noted that Branigan’s eyes were “watery and glassy” and he could smell “a strong odor

STREETLIFE FrOM PAGE 20 overdose. An MCSO deputy responded alongside Manatee County Emergency Medical Services to an overdose. Paramedics informed the deputy the man had received Narcan, causing him to regain consciousness. EMS transported the man to HCA Florida Blake Hospital in Bradenton.

The MCSO polices Cortez. Holmes Beach

April 7, Manatee Public Beach, 4000 Gulf Drive, fraudulent use of handicap placard. An officer from the Holmes Beach Police Department saw a motorist park in a handicap parking space and approached the driver, a man who alluded to being deaf. He had a Florida driver’s license and an Ohio handicap placard. The officer noted the man’s father had an Ohio driver’s license and the man “advised the placard was probably his father’s.” The officer confiscated the vehicle’s handicap placard, placed it in storage and asked Sgt. Mike Dinius to contact the state of Ohio about its ownership.

April 8, 600 block of Manatee Avenue, found person. Two officers were approached by a motorist who appeared to be suffering from dementia and was asking for directions. The officers contacted Manatee County emergency medical services, which evaluated the driver and transported him to HCA Florida Blake Hospital in Bradenton. One officer searched the vehicle and found a sticky note with a phone number. When of an alcoholic beverage on his breath,” according to a report. he called, he spoke to the man’s wife, who said he had gone missing earlier that day. The officer contacted the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office to report the missing man had been found.

The officer asked if Branigan had any drinks before driving and Branigan said he’d had a couple at a bar, but was on his way home.

Branigan performed and failed field sobriety exercises.

The officer arrested Branigan and transported him to the Holmes Beach Police Department, where he twice refused to provide a breath sample to police.

The officer also issued a citation for operating a vehicle without lights at night.

The offi cer transported Branigan to a Manatee County sheriff’s deputy, who transported Branigan to the Manatee County jail.

Branigan was released April 12 on $360 bond.

If convicted, punishments for a second-degree misdemeanor includes up to 60 days in jail and a fine of up to $500.

An arraignment will be at 8:55 a.m. Tuesday, May 16, at the Manatee County Judicial Center, 1051 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton.

April 10, 5100 block of Fifth Avenue, burglary/ grand theft. An officer responded to reports of a stolen electric bicycle and spoke with the complainants, who said an electric bike went missing from their garage. The provided a description and pictures but could not fi nd a serial number. Both complainants wanted to pursue charges and provided sworn affidavits.

April 11, 3200 block of Sixth Avenue, bike theft. An officer responded to reports of a missing bike and met with the complainant, who said one of her bikes went missing from outside their rental property. She said she contacted the rental agency to obtain security footage of the incident, which showed a person taking the bike. The missing bike was recovered by police. The owner asked to pursue a case if an offender was arrested.

April 11, 5500 block of Marina Drive, DCF notification. An officer saw a motorist drive around a detour barricade, so he conducted a traffic stop. The officer spoke to the driver and saw several juveniles in the back of the vehicle without seat belts. The driver and front passenger told police they were unemployed and had no home. The officer contacted the Florida Depart-

HB police chief celebrates Easter at the beach

Holmes Beach Police Chief Bill Tokajer hands out Easter candy April 8 to children he encountered while cruising the beach and celebrating the holiday weekend, an annual tradition for Tokajer and his wife, Thea. islander Photo: Thea Tokajer ment of Children and Families to provide the driver and passenger with assistance or resources. He also issued the driver written warnings.

April 12, Citgo, 3015 N. Gulf Drive, domestic disturbance. An officer responded to reports of a domestic disturbance at the gas station and found the complainant, an intoxicated man who said he and his wife had been arguing. He said his wife struck herself and threatened to tell police he hit her. The officer spoke to the wife, who said her husband threw his phone at a wall and it had hit her in the face. She also said he accidentally hit her legs under a blanket when striking a bed in their truck. The officer found the incident did not meet the criteria for a domestic battery arrest since both parties said the man did not intend to hit his wife.

HBPD polices Holmes Beach.

Streetlife is based on incident reports and narratives from the BBPD, HBPD and MCSO.

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