What does a stolen lighter and nudity have in common? Ask this guy.
A 21-year-old Bradenton man is facing multiple felonies after trying to steal a lighter from an undisclosed business in Palmetto, according to the Palmetto Police Department.
Police say Favian Hernadez entered the store just before midnight on Dec. 1 and asked for a lighter, at which time Hernadez attempted to snatch the lighter from the victim’s hand.
The victim held onto the lighter and police say Hernandez began throwing nearby items at the victim.
During the altercation, police say the cash register also was damaged.
The victim and a coworker exited the store to call law enforcement, at which time police say Hernadez began destroying property, ate food and took off his pants exposing his genitals to the victims.
According to the arrest report, the altercation over the lighter did more than $2,400 in damages to the business.
Hernadez was booked into the Manatee County jail and charged with robbery, battery, felony criminal mischief, exposure of sexual organs and first-degree petit theft.
Hernadez remains in custody on bonds totaling $50,000.
Purple latex gloves ties suspect to Dollar General robbery
According to the Bradenton Police Department, the Dollar General at 1525 Martin Luther King Jr. was robbed at gunpoint on Dec. 2 just after 3 p.m.
Alland Philippe, 18, has been charged with armed robbery, but that isn’t the only store he robbed, according to law enforcement.
According to the arrest report, Philippe entered the store wearing a camo hoodie, black beanie, camo face mask, black pants and shoes, and one purple latex glove on his right hand.
Police say Philippe waited until all customers walked away, presented some small items for purchase and instead of cash, handed the employee a note that said: “I need all that money out of the cash register or I’m going to shoot you. (Please don’t test me.)”
The cashier told police when she looked back at Philippe, his right hand was at his waist band holding what appeared to be a firearm.
Philippe fled the store with $350 on foot and was located later that day and arrested by the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office, but for a different armed robbery of Sky Vapors on Nov. 27.
Deputies found purple latex gloves in Philippe’s possession and later located a firearm at his residence.
BPD filed new charges on Dec. 2 for the Dollar General robbery.
In all, Philippe is charged with two counts of armed robbery and possession of a weapon by a Florida delinquent.
Philippe remains in custody on bonds totaling $87,500.
Serial child molestor captured
A 49-year-old Manatee County man is behind bars for sexually victimizing a child under the age of 12, but that investigation uncovered years of abusing children.
According to the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office, Michael Hope was arrested on Dec. 7 and charged.
When the victim recently disclosed the sexual abuse, investigators learned that the child was not the only victim.
Deputies say Hope has been sexually abusing children from 2012 through 2020.
Hope has been charged with forced fondling and child molestation and could face additional charges.
According to jail records, Hope was out on bond at the time of his arrest for resisting arrest, fleeing to elude and bringing a controlled substance into a detention facility.
Hope is being held without bond.
Mexican national tries to use fake SS number for public aid
A 44-year-old Mexican national was arrested by Palmetto Police on Dec. 3 for using a fake Social Security number in an attempt to obtain over $700 in Hurricane Ian aid.
Police say Augustin Maya-Resendiz provided the number to relief workers at the event, which came back to a female.
According to the arrest report, he admitted that he had purchased the Social Security card a long time ago knowing it belonged to someone else.
He was booked into the Manatee County jail and charged with attempting to fraudulently obtain $740 in government aid.
Gaming console leads to gun play
A 42-year-old man is charged with aggravated assault and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon after pulling a gun on his ex-wife’s husband, according to the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies say Anthony Frye got into an argument with the victim on Nov. 28 over the victim taking away his son’s gaming console.
According to the arrest report, Frye threatened the victim with the gun before leaving. An arrest warrant was issued and Frye was taken into custody on Dec. 7.
Frye was booked into the Manatee County jail on charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and possession of a weapon by a convicted felon.
Frye was released the following day after posting bonds totaling $11,500.
