Bradenton Beach Police Chief Sam Speciale told commissioners March 12 that he gave eviction papers for Cast-n-Cage Restaurant to the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office. He said the MCSO was to serve them to restaurant owner Roland Pena.
City officials began the process to evict the restaurant — its tenant on the Historic Bridge Street Pier — at the beginning of the month after Pena failed to make timely payment of his March $5,665 rent.
City attorney Ricinda filed the necessary paperwork with the Manatee County Clerk of the Circuit Court.
Believing he had a grace period, Pena attempted to pay the rent, including an 18 percent penalty, March 5, but staff turned him away from city hall, acting on advice from Perry to preserve the lawsuit.
Speciale said officials chose to have the sheriff’s office serve the eviction papers. Pena did not have to be served in person, the chief added.
Once served, Pena would have five days to go before a judge to state why he should not be evicted, Speciale said. If the judge approves the eviction, Pena would have 15 days to vacate the pier.
The restaurant is expected to remain open while the parties go to court. Pena could not be reached for comment by presstime for The Islander.