Mere Censullo

Bradenton Police Public Information Officer | EMMY-winning Reporter | Trained CSI |

[Bradenton Police Department @BradentonPD]

🐬 Officer Watton almost flipped out when she met not one, but at least four, playful dolphins while on foot patrol along Bradenton's Riverwalk this morning. She says she really clicked with the pod, but was on duty and couldn't join them for a swim. 🚔

[Bradenton Police Department @BradentonPD]

An hours-long standoff in the Braden Castle Park neighborhood ended peacefully this morning, thanks to the coordinated efforts of BPD patrol, Hostage Negotiation Team (HNT), SWAT Team, Drone Unit, Detectives, and the @ManateeSheriff K9 and SWAT Teams.

Sunday night, officers responded to a domestic incident involving Christopher Liebeck, who lives with his 87-year-old stepfather. The stepfather called 911 from a neighbor’s home, reporting that Liebeck physically attacked him, threatened to hurt others, had taken his phone, and owned multiple firearms.

After the victim agreed to stay with a neighbor, BPD secured arrest warrants. Liebeck refused to exit the home, ultimately prompting this morning's response. HNT made contact with Liebeck, while drones monitored the residence and SWAT staged nearby. Following several conversations, Liebeck agreed to surrender.

Liebeck is charged with aggravated assault, battery on a person 65 or older, and deprivation of 911.

[Mere Censullo @TVMeredyth]

The public understandably gets frustrated with a lack of updates - especially in #missing person cases. Laikyn's case was never cold. Great collaboration by BPD, Venice PD, HSI, and the State Attorney’s Office.

[Bradenton Police Department @BradentonPD]

Today, @VenicePoliceFL announced the arrest of Ronald Chester Racki, 75, in connection with the murder of 24-year-old Laikyn Marie West.

Laikyn was reported missing to the Bradenton Police Department on September 16, 2024. Her housemate told investigators that Laikyn left their home on September 13 after being picked up in a white sedan. She did not return and subsequently missed a scheduled out-of-state flight, prompting concern and the missing person report.

Throughout the investigation, BPD detectives developed information that ultimately led to Racki, a resident of Venice. In December 2024, BPD initiated a joint investigation with the Venice Police Department and has continued to support the ongoing efforts of our partners, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (Homeland Security Investigations), and the State Attorney’s Office.

Our mission in every missing person case is to reunite families. Despite Racki's arrest, Laikyn is still missing. We urge anyone with information in this case to contact Sarasota County Crime Stoppers at 941-366-8477. Any detail, no matter how small, could help bring Laikyn home to her family.

[Natalie Neysa Alund @nataliealund]

Bald Eagle rescued on Presidents Day thanks to @BradentonPD & good Samaritan:

https://t.co/9XG5EKqT20

[Bradenton Police Department @BradentonPD]

EAGLE IN CUSTODY- UPDATE 🦅Officer Gonzalez recorded this video of an injured bald eagle, who was briefly detained in a BPD patrol car for its safety, being retrieved by Wildlife, Inc. Education & Rehabilitation Center. The eagle, we're told, is around 4-5 years old. It is under the care of certified wildlife experts. See more info in our latest X post!

[Bradenton Police Department @BradentonPD]

🦅 Earlier today, an eagle-eyed good Samaritan spotted a bird in distress near 8th St W and Manatee Ave and called BPD. Officers found a sizable bald eagle struggling to fly and (very carefully - he wasn't happy) detained it in a patrol car for its own safety. The talon-ted experts at Wildlife, Inc. Education & Rehabilitation Center arrived to take the eagle to an emergency veterinarian. We hope the beautiful bird will once again be able to soar over the Friendly City!🦅🇺🇸 #PresidentsDay

[Mere Censullo @TVMeredyth]

@tracy_4571 Absolutely!

[Mere Censullo @TVMeredyth]

Our new Chief (who is not new to BPD) is my "weather nerd" other half. I was able to talk him into our own "promo." Chief originally studied meteorology, but his math wasn't mathin'. I did weather at my first two TV stations, but wound up as "the traffic girl" in Tampa.

[Mere Censullo @TVMeredyth]

Sure wish (maybe they have) they would try Rapid DNA - profile in 90 minutes or less. Although, the DNA would still need to go through lab testing to be uploaded to CODIS. But could at least be used to search the state's DNA database.

[Michael Ruiz @mikerreports]

Takeaways — Pima deputies found a lot of gloves, but at least one set is believed to POTENTIALLY match the ones worn by the suspect on Nancy Guthrie’s porch. The crime lab was able to recover a DNA profile from it. CODIS results expected within a day.

[Bradenton Police Department @BradentonPD]

🍷 Merlot is red, Rosé is pink. If you get a DUI, you will spend the night in the clink.
💘 Cupid can’t help once you’re in our sight. Bad choices don’t pair well with Valentine’s night.
🚔 Designate a driver or call a rideshare. Just some advice from BPD — because we care.
💝 Love is sweet, but jail is not. Make smart choices with every shot.
#DriveSober

[Mere Censullo @TVMeredyth]

@PodcastSTS If I were to guess, it is to conceal the collection/removal of evidence, so as not to have another "glove recovery" spectacle. Or, a Leica scan of the porch dimensions. Wouldn't be luminol - they'd do that at night.

[Mere Censullo @TVMeredyth]

Couldn't help myself! 🤣

[Bradenton Police Department @BradentonPD]

💗 We can't fix your love life ... but we can help you move on in the sweetest way possible. Help us keep our community safe while mending your broken heart.💔
If your ex has an active warrant, give us a call or send a crime tip through our website - we'd love to hear from you.
📱 941-932-9300
💌 https://t.co/N6PJJ4LFPX

[Mere Censullo @TVMeredyth]

🤦‍♀️

[Pima County Sheriff's Department @PimaSheriff]

We can’t believe we have to say this, but media on scene: please do not order food delivery to a crime scene address. This interferes with an active investigation. Please also respect private property laws. Thank you.

[Bradenton Police Department @BradentonPD]

Have we mentioned that this year's Bradenton Area River Regatta features Formula 1 races? We're pretty sure the boats will not be driving directly at spectators. Our attempt at the current AI Facebook trend went a tad awry.

Anyway... Everything you need to know about the Regatta, February 20-21, including the best place to view the drone show and races, road closures, and where to park, is here: https://t.co/DYvpv0KbI4

[Mere Censullo @TVMeredyth]

It happened! I told the Sarge to wake me up if it snowed overnight, and he did! Kudos to Sgt. Pilant for recording some Florida flurries for me.

[Bradenton Police Department @BradentonPD]

FLORIDA FLURRIES! We've zoomed in a smidge on Sgt. Pilant's video, since it is tough to see the flurries! BPD's HQ is located on the Manatee River, in downtown Bradenton. He recorded this (with his BWC) at 1:40 a.m.
@NWSTampaBay @WFLA @FOX13News @foxweather @tampabay28 @BN9 @mysuncoast @10TampaBay

[Mere Censullo @TVMeredyth]

I can't come close to explaining how wonderful and loving these pups are. I was in tears the day we rescued them. Today, my heart was happy! Great job BPD!

[Bradenton Police Department @BradentonPD]

🐾PUP-DATE! Three of five dogs removed from a Bradenton home during an animal cruelty investigation in October have been approved for future adoption by a Manatee County judge. Attorneys for the county successfully petitioned the court to revoke ownership of the dogs and grant custody to Manatee County Animal Welfare.

The dogs, Rubble, Winnie, and Blue, have been in the care of Bishop Animal Shelter since they were seized during a search warrant. A subsequent emergency animal cruelty examination determined all five dogs were either emaciated or malnourished and suffering from dehydration. Some dogs had pressure sores, consistent with improper housing.

Rubble, Winnie, and Blue are now at healthy weights, happy, and looking forward to finding new families in a few weeks.

Adoptions will be coordinated through Manatee County Animal Welfare, so stay tuned to their social media for more information. Until then, no visitors please.

Two other dogs, Henry and Hades, were voluntarily surrendered by their owners in October. They were medically cleared in November, and both found their forever families over the holidays.

See the amazing transformation of the dogs, and read more about the case: https://t.co/6tYyF86MAM

[Mere Censullo @TVMeredyth]

Aside from all of the events, December is a slow month for this PIO ... and I go a bit stir crazy. (Can you tell?)

[Bradenton Police Department @BradentonPD]

BREAKING: Florida traffic camera captures snow in Bradenton! Please drive with caution - don't speed, buckle up, and put down the phones. ❄️☃️

[Bradenton Police Department @BradentonPD]

"Hades" needs a home! BPD rescued him and four other dogs during an animal cruelty investigation in October. Two of the five were put up for adoption recently. "Henry," a Great Dane, found a new forever family - but Hades is waiting for his. Adoption info: https://t.co/TqKrOlhc5K

[Bradenton Police Department @BradentonPD]

UPDATED - ATTEMPT TO ID: This lady used stolen credit cards to fund her caffeine fix at Starbucks (Manatee/1st St) & Wawa (1st St) on Nov. 5. The video has been updated w/new angles. We'd like to invite her to Coffee With A Cop. Email tips to [email protected]. ☕️🚓

[Bradenton Police Department @BradentonPD]

🔍BPD is still looking for Adrian Randall, the suspect in the July 8 armed robbery at the Dollar Tree (502 1st St). Randall entered the store's office, claimed she had a weapon, and instructed an employee to empty the safe. More info: https://t.co/pmMy5aCpgq