New Police Chief Nabs Stabbing Suspect on New Year's Eve

If first impressions are correct, Sarasota's new Police Chief Bernadette DiPino is going to be a hands-on boss.

DiPino collared the suspect in a stabbing Monday night.

On New Year's Eve DiPino was not sitting behind a desk or at home, but helping oversee patrols downtown. Heck, her first day on the job wasn't even scheduled to start officially until Jan. 1, 2013.

But just before midnight, Sarasota Police received information of a possible fight in the 1500 block of State Street. 

First responders to the call included Sarasota Police Chief DiPino, Captain Karr, Lieutenant Bieschline, Officer Paris, and Officer Vanik. 

Officers were directed by members of the New Year's Eve crowd to a stabbing victim. The officers provided aid to the victim, apprehended the suspect, and recovered the knife, police say. 

The victim, 28-year-old Joshua Paul Wren, was transported to Sarasota Memorial Hospital.  Wren lives in the 4400 block of Meadow Creek Circle in Sarasota.

Five witnesses identified the suspect as James Tilford Cooper. Cooper, 46, was arrested for Aggravated Battery with a deadly weapon.  Ten packages of incense, not intended for human consumption, were located on the suspect.