Published on Saturday, June 24, 2006
in the Sarasota Herald-Tribune

Alert cop makes bust on Sunshine Skyway Bridge

PALMETTO An alert Florida Highway Patrol trooper on the Sunshine Skyway Bridge spotted and pulled over a vehicle Thursday that authorities were looking for in connection to an armed robbery.

Bradenton resident Jaimi L. Manning, 20, was arrested on drug-related crimes in addition to charges of aggravated assault with a firearm and possession of a gun by a convicted felon.

Manning was wanted for questioning following a report of an armed robbery at a RaceTrac in Palmetto. But police later determined there was no robbery, FHP officials said.

In the suspects Chevy Lumina, FHP troopers said they found a 9mm handgun that had been reported stolen out of Manatee County in February. Authorities also said they found 180 grams of marijuana.

The driver of the vehicle, a Bradenton woman, was released without charges, according to FHP reports.