Sarasota Police Chief Thwarts Suspected Robbers

Sarasota Police Chief Bernadette DiPino is being credited with being in the right place at the right time on Saturday after she caught three people later charged in connection to a strong-arm robbery.

According to a press release, DiPino was off duty and eating lunch with her daughter, Tabitha Hays, a Baltimore County police officer who was in town visiting her mother.

As the pair finished dining, a call came over the radio to be on the lookout for two men and a woman in a blue truck allegedly involved in a robbery that just occurred in the area.

DiPino spotted the suspects' vehicle turning south on to U.S. 41 from 15th Street and pulled behind the truck while calling for backup, according to the release.

A pair of Sarasota Police Department officers soon arrived and began questioning the truck's occupants in regards to the robbery.

The crime, which occurred at around 2 p.m. June 8, involved three people accused of battering a man and stealing his wallet, cell phone and other property.

Arrested and charged in connection to the Sarasota robbery were:

• Ronald L. Johnson, 43, 62nd Terr South, St. Petersburg
• Joseph James, 32, 36th Street Sarasota
• Tina Schnering, 48, Queen Rd., Venice

DiPino credited the officers who were first to arrive at the scene of the robbery  for giving excellent descriptions of the suspects and the vehicle, enabling her to assist with the apprehension of the suspects.

[Updated: Monday, June 10, 2013.]

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