Two early morning burglaries at two Cortez businesses — the Sea Hagg and Bradenton Boat Club — are under investigation by the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office.
At both locations Oct. 20, tip boxes were targeted.
No arrest had been made as of Oct. 27.
However, a confession was obtained Oct. 24 at the Sea Hagg, 12304 Cortez Road W.
Owner Jan Holman reported a man in his late 20s-early 30s, who had frequented the shop, came in again — and admitted he’d taken a box containing cash.
Holman said $50-$100 was taken.
The man left a handwritten statement admitting he’d taken $30, and he left $11 to repay the theft.
He also returned a damaged tip box — two panels of glass had been broken, Holman said.
At the Bradenton Boat Club, 12160 Cortez Road W., a tip box and 19-foot motorboat were burglarized, according to MCSO report.
A surveillance camera caught a man in his late 20s-early 30s on videotape. General manager Skip McPadden said he knows the man.
No money was in the tip box, McPadden said, but four beers were taken from the boat.
McPadden told MCSO he’d report any other boat thefts from owners as they came in and additional items were later reported missing.