A Bradenton Beach police officer arrested St. Petersburg resident Teri Cooper Aug. 29 on a charge of vehicle theft.
The BBPD received notice from the Holmes Beach Police Department, based on alert from the city’s license plate reader, that a vehicle identified as stolen was crossing into Bradenton Beach.
A BBPD officer found a vehicle matching HBPD’s description at Coquina Beach, but couldn’t immediately view the license plate. He did, however, observe two people sitting nearby with a dog and let them know that pets are not allowed on the beaches on Anna Maria Island. The officer asked them to leave.
When they complied and pulled away in the vehicle, the officer ran the license plate and confirmed it was the stolen vehicle.
The officer conducted a traffic stop.
The driver, Cooper, 31, said she didn’t know the vehicle was stolen and that a friend allowed her to borrow the red Hyundai Elantra.
BBPD arrested Cooper for felony motor vehicle theft and a misdemeanor, driving with a suspended license.
She was transported to the Manatee County jail, where she remained in custody with a $1,620 bail as of Sept. 4.
The passenger was released at the scene and the vehicle was towed.
— Ryan Paice