North Port News and Traffic Report

12/25/2025

Merry Christmas to everyone in Charlotte County and Sarasota County from North Port News and Traffic Report. We cover news and traffic for North Port and surrounding areas.

12/25/2025

Someone from Arkansas is having a very Merry Christmas after hitting Powerball last night for $1.82 billion.

12/24/2025

Keeping it Merry in Port Charlotte on Christmas Eve day.

CCSO responds to an altercation at Walmart.

12/24/2025

More fun going on at the Port Charlotte Walmart right now. Eight CCSO units on scene. Word is there may have been an altercation.

Someone just landed on the Naughty List at the last minute

12/24/2025

12:28 TRAFFIC CRASH W/INJURY MM210 I75N
12:11 TRAFFIC CRASH W/INJURY MM210 I75N

The roads are crowded and people are frustrated. Drive safe, arrive alive.

12/24/2025

Expect heavier than usual traffic today as you head through Sarasota.

12/24/2025

I-75 is ugly right now in Sarasota. If you need to get somewhere expect heavier than usual traffic.

12/24/2025

Merry Christmas. Gas is $2.49 at Walmart on Sumter Blvd.

12/24/2025

From Chatlotte County again.....

A Charlotte County man is in custody after allegedly pointing an air rifle at passing cars near the Walmart Supercenter in Port Charlotte.

According to a Charlotte County Sheriff's report, a witness saw Alonso-Preto pointing an air rifle at cars and even described hearing a "pop," suspecting he fired it.

When deputies arrived, they found Alonso-Preto sitting under a palm tree with a blanket on his lap and the air rifle hidden underneath.

Gig McClain, a frequent Walmart shopper, expressed disbelief at the situation.

Alonso-Preto is facing charges of improper exhibition of dangerous weapons or fi****ms and armed trespassing. Lazaro's motive for the alleged actions remains unclear.

He remains in Charlotte County Jail with bail set at $7,500.

12/24/2025

The Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office is conducting an investigation into a shooting reported during the early morning hours of December 21st in the 480 block of Collingswood Boulevard.
An altercation was reported between two adult males outside of an event at that location. During the incident, a firearm was discharged, striking an individual. The injured individual was transported to a hospital, treated for non-life-threatening injuries, and later released.
The forensic unit responded and is working with investigators collecting evidence.
The investigation remains ongoing.

12/24/2025

Don't be a victim.

Sarasota Police Warn of Scam Using Ride-Sharing Apps and Cash Withdrawals

The Sarasota Police Department is warning the public about an emerging scam involving ride-sharing apps and large cash withdrawals. Two cases reported this week in the City of Sarasota are under investigation, with similar incidents also being investigated by the Venice Police Department and the Sarasota County (FL) Sheriff's Office

On Tuesday, Dec. 16, Sarasota police were notified of a grand theft at a local bank in the 3500 block of Osprey Avenue.

A 73-year-old woman told officers she received a text message asking whether she had used her credit card for a specific purchase. She later received another message asking if she had just withdrawn nearly $10,000 from her bank account.

The victim then spent approximately two hours on the phone with a woman posing as a bank fraud investigator. The scammer told the victim her identity had been stolen and claimed someone inside the bank may have been involved. The scammer instructed the victim to go to the bank to obtain new debit and credit cards and withdraw $18,500, telling her the funds would later be reimbursed through the FDIC.

Bank employees questioned the large withdrawal, but the victim said the money was for the holidays, travel and home repairs. The scammer directed the victim to place the cash and new debit and credit cards into a shopping bag and give them to an “FDIC representative” who would meet her at the bank.

Instead, the scammer arranged for a ride-sharing courier to pick up the package and transport it to Miami. When the driver arrived, the victim placed the bag in the back seat of the vehicle.
The scammer later asked the victim about the contents of her safe deposit box and her jewelry, suggesting she insure the items and warning that armed individuals could come to her home. The victim and her husband eventually contacted their actual bank, which advised them to end the call and confirmed it was a scam.

Using information provided by the victim, the Sarasota Police Department’s Real Time Operations Center (ROC) located the ride-share driver. Officers determined the driver was unaware of the crime and recovered the cash and cards, which were returned to law enforcement and ultimately back to the victim.

The Sarasota Police Department wants to remind the public:
• Banks and government agencies will never ask you to withdraw cash or hand it to a courier.
• Do not trust caller ID, text messages or links claiming to be from a bank.
• If you are unsure, hang up and call your bank directly using a verified number.
• Report suspected scams to local law enforcement immediately.

12/23/2025