A Sarasota woman had an unplanned pick-up Aug. 14 at the trolley stop at 3900 E. Bay Drive, Holmes Beach.
Stacey Bell, 42, crashed the vehicle she was driving into the trolley shelter at 3900 E. Bay Drive. She knocked out a support post and damaged signs adjacent to the shelter, and the auto belonged to the mother of her sleeping passenger.
Witnesses said Bell attempted to flee after the crash, but Holmes Beach Officer Henry Frappier and Sgt. Mike Pilato responded. Officer Joel Pierce assisted at the scene.
When Pilato attempted to retrieve a bag from the vehicle, Bell allegedly tugged it away, at which point she was placed in the patrol vehicle.
An inventory of the bag and vehicle revealed drug paraphernalia, including a “crack”-type pipe, a small plastic bag and several used syringes, according to the Holmes Beach police report.
In addition, narcotics allegedly were found, including diazepam, a Schedule 4 narcotic, for which Bell did not have a prescription.
Bell was arrested and transported to the Manatee County jail. She faces charges of possession of a controlled substance and drug paraphernalia. Bonds were set at $1,500 and $500, respectively. Bell was released Aug. 18.
Holmes Beach Police Chief Bill Tokajer said the trolley stop is no longer structurally sound and would remain closed until repair were made by the city’s public works department.
Bell’s arraignment is scheduled for 9 a.m. Friday, Sept. 16, at the Manatee County Judicial Center, 1051 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton.