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Sarasota Man Offers Young Girls Riding Bikes 'Free Ride' in Attempt to Lure Them to Truck: Police
Police said Edward O'Neil Jr. faces two felony counts after witnesses intervened and officers later found marijuana and two firearms in his truck.
- On Monday, Sarasota Police Department officers arrested Edward O'Neil, 67, on charges of attempting to lure two girls, ages 12 and 13, into his truck near Bay Road and U.S. 41.
- Investigators say O'Neil repeatedly offered the girls a ride while driving his black Dodge Ram truck, telling them to "put your bikes in the back" and opening his door at traffic lights on Sunday evening.
- After witnesses threatened to call 911, O'Neil still followed the girls until police arrested him during a traffic stop, where officers located marijuana and two firearms in his vehicle.
- O'Neil faces two third-degree felony charges of attempting to lure a child under 14, plus drug and weapon possession charges. He remains held at the Sarasota County Jail on $20,000 bond.
- The Sarasota Police Department continues investigating the case; anyone with information should contact Det. Angela Cox or remain anonymous by calling Crime Stoppers at 941-366-TIPS .
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Total News Sources11
Leaning Left2Leaning Right0Center5Last UpdatedBias Distribution71% Center
Bias Distribution
- 71% of the sources are Center
71% Center
L 29%
C 71%
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