Officer D Makes an Arrest

Editors note: Quick thinking and alert police work by Officer Donzia Franklin, known to many Lido Shorians as Officer "D", resulted in the swift arrest recently of a burglary suspect.  It turns out the suspect claims to have been living at the now notorious 451 Bowdoin Circle, which has been the scene of numerous police disturbance calls, and at least two drug overdoses, one resulting in a young man's death last year. Click to see two previous Bowdoin Circle stories: 11/23/11 and 7/20/11

Officer D is a past recipient of our LSPOA Community Service Award. Our sincere thanks to Donzia for conscientiously patrolling our neighborhood. The incident News Release is below. ~ BT

SARASOTA POLICE DEPARTMENT

2900 Adams Lane, Sarasota, Florida 34237

Mikel T. Hollowaway, Chief of Police

NEWS RELEASE

Dedicated Officer Arrests Burglary Suspect

Officer D

Officer Donzia Franklin patrolling on bicycle at 4 am observed Jeffrey Todaro walking quickly west bound on John Ringling Boulevard. Officer Franklin recognized Todaro as a resident of the island. 

A minute later, Officer Franklin was dispatched to a burglary that had just occurred at La Malinche Mexican restaurant 40 South Boulevard of the Presidents.

Azore Fontanot, the owner of the restaurant, heard someone moving around inside of the restaurant. He confronted the perpetrator, later identified as Todaro. The perpetrator shoved the owner and then swung at him before running out the business. 

Officer Franklin doubled back and located Todaro who was riding a bicycle north bound on North Washington Drive. She stopped the suspect. The victim was transported to that location where he positively identified Todaro as the perpetrator of the burglary.

Burglary Suspect Jeffrey Todaro

Jeffrey Todaro was arrested for Burglary of an Occupied Dwelling. This was Todaro’s 18th arrest. Todaro’s arrests include 14 felony and 13 misdemeanor charges. This is Todaro’s 3rd Burglary arrest. Jeffrey Todaro (03/21/1968) is 6 feet 3 inches, 225 lbs, and lists his residence as 451 Bowdin Circle in Sarasota.

This arrest occurred because Officer Franklin was doing bike patrol at 4 am and she is active enough in the community to recognize Todaro and know where he was likely to be going.

Officer Franklin’s years of dedicated community service have been recognized by the Community and the Sarasota Police Department. In 2011 the Lido Shores Property Owners Association presented Officer Franklin with the LSPOA Community Service Award for her then 17 years of patrolling the area, often on bicycle. Her department awards include Officer of the Year, 2 Meritorious Service Medals, and 2 Lifesaving medals.



Captain Paul K. Sutton

941-954-7006