451 Bowdoin Circle Saga Continues

The seemingly never ending saga that is 451 Bowdoin Circle had a new wrinkle this past week. That's the Lido Shores house that over the past couple of years has been the scene of numerous police calls for late night parties, loud music, beer cans and liquor bottles strew across the yard, possible illegal renters and culminating in a a pair of drug overdoses in which one person died in November 2011.

Last week, neighbors called LSPOA board member Howard Rooks about a large, white travel trailer parked alongside the house. Howard and Board President Bob Thill followed up and checked on the complaint.

Before we had even heard back from our inquiries, Sarasota police officers arrived and ordered that the trailer be immediately moved.

According to Sarasota Police Officer Donzia Franklin, the trailer belongs to Gary Ruby, the boyfriend of Kristen Rocks, who is the last known owner of 451 Bowdoin Circle. According to police, Ruby told them he now owns the home. Rock's son, Steve, apparently lives in the home from time to time. The boyfriend is reportedly a coach on the Houston Astro's baseball team. Officer Franklin says when Ruby was informed there were squatters living in the trailer as well as in the house, he called police and initiated the eviction visit. The trailer is now gone, and numerous potted plants, statuary, large rocks and other assorted junk in the yard was also cleaned up.

Police detectives told LSPOA member and neighbor Angie Albers that they initially suspected the trailer might be related to the recent spate of break-ins on North Washington, but no stolen property was found. A canine unit was also brought in, likely looking for drugs, but none were found.

The house was reportedly being rented to Edward Ponte and his girlfriend. Ponte told police he owns Global Palm Landscaping. Ponte was allegedly using the house to run his business and to board as many as 6 or 7 other people. The squatters were supposedly pumping water from the backyard swimming pool to flush toilets.

Albers tells us Sarasota City Codes enforcement was called and responded, but the inspector said he couldn't go inside without a police report. According to police, the report has been forwarded to the city's code enforcement department. Thill says the LSPOA Board will follow up to see that the inspector gets the report and comes back to inspect the Bowdoin home's interior. According to Detective Maria Llovio, the inside is is in filthy condition. We'll keep you posted.

~BT