Police Make Arrest In 2 Of 4 Shootings In Sarasota Neighborhood

SARASOTA, FL -- Sarasota Police have arrested a man and charged him in two of the four recent shootings in the north Sarasota of Newtown. However, Police Chief Bernadette DiPino says investigators haven’t ruled out his involvement in the other shootings.

During a press conference Wednesday, May 16, DiPino announced the arrest of Joshua J. Bane, 32, in connection to two shootings on May 11.

The first occurred at about 1:40 a.m. near Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Way and Pershing Avenue. The victim was taken to Sarasota Memorial Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Around 8 a.m. the same day, another shooting occurred in the 1500 block of 20th Street. That victim was taken to Sarasota Memorial Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries as well.

See Sarasota Police Investigate 3rd Shooting This Weekend

Bane has been charged with two counts of attempted murder in both of those shootings. However, detectives are continuing to investigate the two shootings that occurred in Newtown May 8 and May 13.

The four shootings over a five-day period had residents of the north Sarasota neighborhood on edge, wondering if a serial shooter was on the loose or if a gang war had broken out.

The victims ranging in age from 30 to 60 years old all sustained non-life-threatening injuries. DiPino said detectives do not believe the shootings were random but she can’t say at this point if all four shootings are connected.

The May 8 shooting occurred around 10:15 p.m. in the 1800 block of 23rd Street. The victim was shot while sitting in a parked car.

The May 13 shooting occurred in the vicinity of Palmadelia Avenue and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Way at about 3:25 a.m.

“I feel confident that the community will be relieved to know that Joshua Bane is in custody," said DiPino. "We are leaving no stone unturned as we continue to investigate to see if Bane is connected to them (the other shootings) or if there are other suspects.”

She added that detectives believe all four victims were “specifically targeted.”

DiPino said Bane was arrested around 9 a.m. Wednesday in the 300 block of Tuttle Avenue without incident. A firearm and ammunition were recovered from the location of the arrest and the police will be testing them for forensic links.

Bane is a six-time convicted felon with 50 prior felony and misdemeanor criminal charges since 2005 including aggravated assault with deadly battery, carrying a concealed firearm, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, high-speed fleeing to elude and possession of a controlled substance.

"Our investigations are far from over,” said DiPino. "We want the criminals responsible to know that we are relentlessly pursuing every possible lead and piece of information to the fullest extent possible. If you commit these crimes in the city of Sarasota, we will find you."

Anyone with information on these cases is asked to call the Sarasota Police Department at (941) 316-1199 or leave an anonymous tip with Crime Stoppers by calling (941) 366-TIPS

Images via Sarasota Police

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