Man Stole Scrap Metal From Manatee Business, Deputies Say

Merle Wilkinson told deputies he had permission to haul away the scrap metal in his truck, but a representative of the business disagreed.

A man is accused of stealing scrap metal from a Manatee County business and hauling it away in his truck late Tuesday night, authorities said. A deputy saw the suspect, 47-year-old Merle Wilkinson, leaving fiberglass manufacturer Marine Concepts, 1600 Whitfield Ave., shortly before midnight with scrap metal loaded in the back of his red and white GMC truck. Since "numerous burglaries" had been reported in the area, according to the Manatee County Sheriff's Office, the deputy pulled Wilkinson over at 6500 15th Street East. Wilkinson said he had been given permission to take the scrap from the business' Dumpsters by an employee "whose name he does not know," the deputy said. Wilkinson also said the scrap metal came from his storage unit and …

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Two Stabbed During Robbery Attempt at Lakewood Ranch Apartments

A resident and a neighbor who came to his aid both suffered superficial stab wounds, according to the Manatee County Sheriff's Office.

Two men suffered stab wounds during a robbery attempt outside a Lakewood Ranch apartment complex Monday night, according to the Manatee County Sheriff's Office. Deputies were called to Lost Creek Apartments, 11160 Lost Creek Ter., around 12:30 a.m. Tuesday, where a resident told them he had been followed to his apartment by two men who confronted him in the parking lot and demanded money. When the victim told them he didn't have any money, the two men attempted to take his motorized scooter, deputies said. When he ran, the two men followed him and a struggle ensued, with the victim suffering a superficial stab wound in his hand. A neighbor who heard the commotion and came to the aid of the victim was also stabbed in the thigh. The suspects…

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Alleged Bradenton Bank Robber With Knife Caught Minutes Later

Authorities say the man robbed Bank of America on Cortez Road shortly after 11 a.m. Monday; within 10 minutes, he was pulled over and arrested.

Deputies apprehended a man Monday who they say minutes earlier robbed a Bradenton bank while armed with a large knife. The man parked his car in a handicapped parking spot in front of the Bank of America, 3401 Cortez Rd. W., around 11:03 a.m., the Manatee County Sheriff's Office reports. He entered and informed tellers he was robbing the bank, showing them a large knife that had been partially concealed at his side, according to the report. The man demanded money and was handed over a small sum, authorities said. No one was injured. A witness who works for the bank's security service called in the robbery, then began discretely following behind the man's getaway car, the sheriff's office said. At 11:12 a.m., the man, identified as 31-year-…

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Sex Offenders Sought by Manatee Deputies

The Manatee County Sheriff's Office was looking for these absconded sexual offenders as of May 1. Do you recognize any of them?

Home Invasion Suspects Sought

The three men forced their way into a Bradenton home, according to the Manatee County Sheriff's Office.

Deputies are looking for three suspects who forced their way into a Bradenton home, stole valuables and then fled early Saturday morning, according to the Manatee County Sheriff's Office. The men wore masks and were armed, when they forced their way into the back of a house near the 5000 block of 5th Street East at around 2 a.m., according to investigators. The occupants, two women and a seven-month old baby, had been sleeping, according to sheriff's officials. They were not harmed. Deputies and a K-9 unit were able to find some of the stolen items but were unable to track down the suspects. Sign up for the free Bradenton Patch email newsletter to stay connected to your community.

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1 Suspect, 2 Burglaries, 3 Stolen Pieces of Fence

A Bradenton man was arrested and charged with burglary after trying to take three pieces of aluminum fence at the Manatee Housing Authority Friday morning.

A Bradenton man was arrested and charged with burglary after trying to take three pieces of aluminum fence at the Manatee Housing Authority. First, deputies responded to an alarm at Mike's Mini Mart, 5640 15th St. E, at 5:45 a.m. Friday, May 3, but they were not able to find a potential burglar, according to the Manatee County Sheriff's Office. Later, a witness called saying the suspect was again in the area, according to sheriff's officials. While deputies stopped and talked to Michael Armato, 43, of Bradenton, another burglary was reported at the Manatee Housing Authority, 5631 11th St. E, according to investigators. Armato was identified as the person who took three pieces of aluminum fence, according to sheriff's officials. After being…

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Woman Accused of Fleeing Accident, Kicking Deputy

Veronica A. Dubois was arrested after she allegedly hit a parked car early Thursday morning in a Bradenton neighborhood, then fled on foot.

A Bradenton woman fled the scene of an accident, then kicked a deputy as she was being taken into custody, deputies said Thursday. Manatee County Sheriff's deputies were called to the scene of a crash in the 5000 block of 21st Way East just after 2 a.m., according to a news release. When they got there, deputies say the woman's vehicle was found abandoned in the street and with significant damage. Witnesses helped identify the woman, Veronica A. Dubois, 30, who allegedly struck another car that was parked in the street, then fled on foot. Dubois was found nearby and arrested. That's when authorities say she kicked a deputy while being placed into a patrol vehicle. Dubois was taken to Manatee County Central Jail without further incident. …

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Sex Offenders Sought by Manatee Deputies

The Manatee County Sheriff's Office was looking for these absconded sexual offenders as of May 1. Do you recognize any of them?

The Manatee County Sheriff's Office on Wednesday released a list of absconded sexual offenders it was searching for as of May 1. See the attached PDF for a full list and details. Related Coverage Sign up for the Bradenton Patch email newsletter to get our top headlines delivered straight to your inbox so you won't miss a thing! 

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