Check washing scam reported in Manatee County – WTSP

Francesco Abbruzzino, The Uncensored Report, LLC

 

 

 

Booking number: 202600002785
 
This information is from a Probable Cause Affidavit filed by the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office on March 25, 2026, detailing the arrest of John Anthony Slodyczka for multiple offenses. The incident occurred on March 24, 2026, at Blind Pass Beach, located at 6725 Manasota Key Road, Englewood, Florida.
 
Incident Summary:
• Officer Chandler Madison Hartman (ID# 2817) responded to reports of a white male chasing people on the beach with a machete.
• Witnesses described the suspect as shirtless, wearing shorts, and holding a large machete. He appeared to be intoxicated and reportedly chased victims with the machete, causing fear for their lives.
• The suspect was identified as John Slodyczka, who was found in an older model Jeep with no doors and a loud exhaust in the parking lot. The Jeep had an unassigned Florida license plate and was not registered in Florida.
• Slodyczka initially refused lawful commands to exit the vehicle and resisted detention. Deputies observed signs of intoxication, including bloodshot eyes and the smell of alcohol. A half-empty bottle of alcohol was visible in the Jeep.
• Post-Miranda, Slodyczka gave conflicting statements about the machete, first denying possession and later admitting he might have had it.
 
Charges Filed:
1. Ten counts of Aggravated Assault with a weapon without intent to kill (F.S.S. 784.021(1a)).
2. One count of Disorderly Intoxication (F.S.S. 856.011).
3. One count of Resisting an Officer Without Violence (F.S.S. 843.02).
4. One count of County Ordinance Violation for being in a county park past 10:00 PM.
5. Two criminal citations:
o Attaching a tag not assigned (F.S.S. 320.261).
o Failure to register a motor vehicle (F.S.S. 320.02(1)).
 
Victims: The affidavit lists multiple victims, all of whom were interviewed separately and reported similar accounts of the incident. The victims were fishing on the beach when Slodyczka approached them with a machete and chased them, causing fear for their lives.
 
Arrest Details:
• Arrest Date/Time: March 25, 2026, at 00:57:58.
• Arrest Location: 6725 Manasota Key Road, Englewood, FL.
• Booking Officer: Felicity Simpson (ID# 3783).
• Investigative costs requested: $200.00.
 
Slodyczka was transported to the Sarasota County Jail without incident. The affidavit was filed by Officer Hartman and witnessed by Supervisor Daniel Hodge (ID# 2627).
 
NOTE: All arrestees are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. To obtain court disposition for those facing state charges you can contact the Sarasota Clerk

 
To read the probable cause affidavit, click — >>> here