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.

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.

💗 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 💌 bradentonpd.com/crimetips

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.

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

🐾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: bradentonpd.com/newsreleases…

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

CASE UPDATE: THREE ARRESTED IN AUG. 25TH MURDER - BPD has arrested three suspects in the murder of Kayvon Dunbar, 15. Zyquan Kit, 17; Jeremiah Lilly, 18; and Star Stewart, 15, are charged with felony murder with a firearm. NEWS RELEASE: bradentonpd.com/newsreleases…