Crime & Safety

Prostitution Sting Nets 5 Arrests

Men from Bradenton and Palm Harbor were charged in a prostitution sting recently conducted by the Sarasota Police Department.

SARASOTA, FL — A recent undercover operation meant to target illegal prostitution within the city of Sarasota netted five arrests. None of the men charged were from the community, the Sarasota Police Department reported Monday.

The operation was conducted along North Tamiami Trail on Thursday, April 27. Officers say all five men arrested with charged with solicitation of prostitution. Two vehicles were also seized under city ordinance during the evening.


Get the Sarasota Patch newsletter and alerts in your inbox.

Find out what's happening in Sarasotafor free with the latest updates from Patch.


Those arrested were:

  • Jimmy Hernandez-Patoja, 19, of Bradenton
  • Jose Romero Gutierrez, 31, of Bradenton
  • Santos N. Rivas, 40, of Bradenton
  • Tereso Roblero-Arriaga, 37, of Bradenton
  • Thomas Irvine, 61, of Palm Harbor

Police say vehicles belonging to Rivas and Irvine were seized by officers.

Find out what's happening in Sarasotafor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Keep up with what’s happening by following Sarasota Patch on Facebook.

Booking photos of Hernandez-Patoja, Gutierrez, Rivas, Roblero-Arriaga and Irvine courtesy of the Sarasota Police Department

Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.