Police Blotter 3/20/2012

The Ocracoke Sheriff's Department continues investigating a case of financial identity fraud.  They have supoenaed internet records and are awaiting evidence that will help them pursue the case.  "It's not CSI," said Sergeant Jason Daniels, "nothing happens in an hour, or even a day."

Officers served papers on a local person for failure to appear in Dare County court.  A $500 bond was posted and a new court date awaits.  When it's your turn at bat, go ahead and step up to the plate.

A vehicle was willfully damaged in an Ocracoke parking lot.  The department made a report of Injury to Personal Property and an investigation is underway.

Any local will tell you they start the season with patience, and it lessens as Ocracoke gets more crowded, and the days get longer and hotter.  The weather's been great, spring break is here, and Sergeant Daniels said the weekend felt a little bit like August to him.  "There was a lot of intoxication," he said.

Bands were playing at two fun-loving establishments on the northern end of the village, and there was a wedding at a downtown watering hole.  No citations were issued, but officers needed to be on the scene to help move a few people along.  One gentlemen seemed unaware that he was wearing mis-matched shoes. 

"We get a lot of looks from tourists when we go into bars," said Daniels.  "A few brave tourists come up and ask us what we're doing there.  We like that.  We want to be approachable."  In many places, "cops won't even speak to you," he said, but the Ocracoke department has "a different mentality."

An athletic fellow decided to do a back flip off the rail of the pub, and Daniels happened to be there to witness it.  "He hit his face on the way down, but mounted a bicycle perfectly," said Daniels, who assessed the man's injury and state of mind before turning him over to the care of his sober wife.  She was in a position to make the decision to call 911, said the Sergeant, adding, "We can't babysit everyone at the jail every night."

Daniels recognized the couple from vacations they've taken on Ocracoke in the past.  He checked in with them the next day.  The gymnast is an "outstanding, very nice guy" whose punishment was that he woke up "feeling horrible and more than a little embarrassed."  Lesson learned?

For a change of pace, officers stopped by both the Pinewood Derby and the Arts Weekend at the Assembly of God Church, where there was "great music" and "the kids looked like they were having a real good time," said Daniels.

Several cars were stopped for passing golf carts on a double yellow line.  The department reminds drivers that golf carts have as much right to the roadway as other vehicles, and they will issue citations for this moving infraction.