Bradenton Police Department

ARE THESE YOUR GOATS?! No, we're not kidding. Patrol found this duo wandering in the 800 block of 25th St E. If you are their owner, please call us at 941-932-9300. Don't bleat around the bush - we're working on arranging transportation for them to an animal shelter. 🐐🐐

Not to be Debbie Downer on a Monday morning, but today marks the first day of Hurricane Season 2026. BPD is prepared and ready to respond - and now it's your turn! Review your emergency plans, stock up on supplies, and find out NOW if you're in an evacuation zone. You can do that here: mymanatee.org/storm

This week, BPD honored Officer Maddie Rovira, our officer of the quarter, and Greg Price, our civilian of the quarter.

⭐ Officer Rovira, assigned to the Crime Reduction Team, takes a proactive role in investigating violent crimes, often involving illegal fi****ms and narcotics. During the first quarter of 2026, Officer Rovira authored 15 search warrants for active investigations, including residential, digital, and social media searches. Her work ethic, motivation, and diligence are recognized and appreciated!

⭐ Greg Price traded in his detective badge for a lawnmower (and more), and now serves as the Range Master for the BPD/Manatee Technical College Training Facility. From the earliest stages of planning and construction, Greg played an integral role by providing valuable insight that helped shape the facility's development. Since its completion, Greg has demonstrated exceptional commitment as caretaker and range master, ensuring the facility remains in excellent condition. His attention to detail and sense of ownership directly contribute to the safety, functionality, and professionalism of the training environment.

⛪ FUNERAL HOME SCAM ALERT 🚨 This egregious scam is being reported again in our area.

Scammers gather information about a deceased loved one from obituaries. They pretend to be from the funeral home selected by grieving family members and tell victims they must pay more money immediately, or the funeral will be canceled. They use a technique called "spoofing" to alter the caller ID, making calls appear to come from the funeral home.

If you receive one of these calls:
- HANG UP. Immediately contact the funeral home directly using a verified phone number - not the one provided in the scammer’s call, text, or email.
- DO NOT provide ANY form of payment.
- Contact BPD and report the crime: 941-932-9300.

** Barcarrota is now open. ** Barcarrota Blvd is temporarily closed between 10th St W and 13th St W, near Pier 22. Drivers/pedestrians are being detoured around the closure.

BPD is aware of the “teen takeover” trend. We want students to enjoy their summer break, but criminal activity, reckless behavior, or disruptions to businesses, parks, the Riverwalk, or traffic will not be tolerated.

We encourage teens to make smart decisions. Parents, talk with your teens, know their plans, and stay involved.

See something, say something - and stay out of trouble!
City of Bradenton, Florida - Government

📋 REPORT CARD TIME! We know the City of Bradenton’s School Speed Zone Camera Program is about as popular as a pop quiz … but the numbers explain why it exists.

🚸 Apparently, “School Zone” is being interpreted by some as a suggested speed challenge. During the 2025-2026 school year, cameras recorded 15,866 violations from drivers going 10+ mph over the speed limit during school hours.

🏫 The schools with the most violations:
• Rogers Garden Elementary — 3,342
• Ballard Elementary — 2,833
• Sea Breeze Elementary — 2,440

🏎 Highest speed recorded in a school zone: 73 MPH.
That’s not “running late for drop-off.” That’s auditioning for NASCAR in front of an elementary school.

🚗 A total of 3,307 drivers were issued citations after failing to pay the violation or request a hearing.

🚸 No, school speed zone cameras are not operational during summer break. Yes, you can still get in trouble if you're caught speeding. Please slow down, buckle up, and put down devices!

🚨 BPD ELDER FRAUD INVESTIGATION LINKED TO NATIONWIDE CONSPIRACY 🚨 A 2024 Elder Fraud Unit investigation into a gold bar scam that cost an 80-year-old veteran $1.4 million is tied to a nationwide elder fraud conspiracy, with one co-conspirator recently sentenced to 15½ years in federal prison, according to federal prosecutors.

📰 READ MORE:
BPD’s investigation began in 2024 after the victim reported losing approximately $1.4 million, his life savings.

The victim told detectives that in February 2024, two men arrived at his home claiming to be U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents. They informed him there was a warrant for his arrest and said a supervisor would contact him.

For approximately one month, the victim was contacted by a woman claiming to be a supervisor who told him she could help resolve his legal issues if he assisted with an investigation. She instructed him to convert his money into gold bars and provide them to her “agents.” Believing he was assisting law enforcement, the victim purchased approximately $1.4 million in gold bars in three separate transactions and delivered them to individuals at predetermined locations.

BPD detectives traced the victim’s money to a Georgia woman, Swetaban Patel. Patel was arrested in April 2024 and charged with grand theft. She later agreed to cooperate with federal authorities against her co-conspirators.

Detectives also identified a second suspect, Syed M. Makki. Investigators determined Makki may have been one of the individuals posing as an “agent” and interacting directly with the victim.

By the time Patel was arrested, Makki was already in custody in Illinois. He had been arrested in March 2024 after authorities said he was transporting gold bars collected from other victims through conspirators in Colorado and Missouri.

Last week, a federal judge sentenced Makki to 15½ years in prison for his role in the conspiracy and ordered him to pay $4,754,000 in restitution and forfeit the gold bars.

According to federal prosecutors, between 2023 and March 31, 2024, conspirators used computer malware to direct potential victims to fraudulent phone numbers. Once victims called, members of the conspiracy posed as Microsoft employees, banking officials, government employees, and law enforcement officers.

Victims were told their identities had been compromised and that their money was no longer safe in financial institutions. They were instructed to liquidate bank and retirement accounts, purchase gold bars or coins, and turn over those assets for “safekeeping” to individuals involved in the scheme, including Patel. The gold was then transported across state lines.

Federal prosecutors have identified 12 victims to date who collectively lost more than $6 million through the fraud scheme.

For information on BPD's Elder Fraud Unit, as well as resources to protect yourself against common scams, visit Bradentonpd.com/Elder-Fraud-Unit. Printed resource guides are also available at BPD Headquarters, 100 10th St. W., Bradenton.

⚠️ TRAFFIC ADVISORY - TEMPORARY RR XING CLOSURE ⚠️
CSX plans to close the railroad crossing at 9th Ave W/MLK - between 5th St W & 6th St W - to repair a rail defect. The crossing will close at 8 a.m. Wednesday, May 27, and is expected to reopen by 8 a.m. Thursday, May 28. Please plan an alternate route, such as 6th Ave W (eastbound) or Manatee Ave (westbound).

Our Marine Unit had an extra supervisor on board for patrols of the Manatee River today. He enjoyed listening to Yacht Rock and requested more Flock of Seagulls hits.