Behind the Headlines
If you have any information about these crimes or any person(s) involved, you are urged to call SWFL Crime Stoppers at 1-800-780-TIPS (8477) or click the Submit a Tip button to anonymously provide information. We want your information, not your name! We will pay a cash reward of up to $3,000 if your tip leads to an arrest.
Search is on for North Fort Myers Family Dollar robber
February 21, 2018
STATUS: OPENSouthwest Florida Crime Stoppers is asking for the public’s help identifying and tracking down an unknown suspect who robbed the Family Dollar store in North Fort Myers this afternoon.
Just after 3:30 p.m., a white male entered the store, located at 5660 Bayshore Road. The man approached the clerk while carrying a knife and demanded all the cash from the register. The employee placed the money into a grocery bag, at which point the suspect fled the area, running across the nearby Wells Fargo Bank parking lot. At this time, he is still at large.
The suspect is described as a white male in his late 20s or early 30s, between 5’6” and 5’7” with a long goatee. He was wearing a baseball cap, white shirt, blue jeans and eyeglasses at the time of the robbery.
Anyone who saw an individual fitting this description in the area of Bayshore and Hart Road this afternoon is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-780-TIPS (8477). All callers will remain anonymous and will be eligible for a cash reward of up to $1,000. Tips may also be made online at www.southwestfloridacrimestoppers.com or by submitting a tip on the P3Tips mobile app.
Suspect sought in armed robbery at Lehigh Walgreens
February 19, 2018
STATUS: OPENSouthwest Florida Crime Stoppers is asking for the public’s help identifying and tracking down an unknown suspect who robbed a Lehigh Acres Walgreens at gunpoint early this morning.
Just before 4 a.m., the suspect, who was wearing all black clothing and a mask, entered the store, located at 38 Homestead Road. While pointing a long gun at the store employee, he demanded that the register be opened and all the cash inside turned over to him. In fear for his life, the employee complied and the suspect left in an unknown direction with an undisclosed amount of cash.
Anyone with information on the identity and whereabouts of the suspect is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-780-TIPS (8477). All callers will remain anonymous and will be eligible for a cash reward of up to $1,000. Tips may also be made online at www.southwestfloridacrimestoppers.com or by submitting a tip on the P3Tips mobile app.
Cigarette thieves possibly part of statewide spree
February 15, 2018
STATUS: OPENSouthwest Florida Crime Stoppers is asking for the public’s help identifying a trio who stole more than $9,000 in cigarettes from a Bonita Springs convenience store Wednesday morning.
Shortly after 3 a.m. on February 14th, the Circle K located at 24931 S. Tamiami Trail received its regular shipment of cigarettes. Approximately 10 minutes after the arrival of multiple bins of the product, three black males entered the store. One of the men asked the store clerk for help, while two others, whose faces were covered with masks or bandanas, followed behind. One suspect jumped the counter and handed over several bins for the third suspect to carry out of the store. After carting off more than $9,000 worth of cigarettes, the trio fled the area in a white Dodge Challenger.
Detectives believe these suspects may be related to a statewide spree of cigarette thefts. In several other instances across the state, suspects matching this same description have shown up at convenience stores shortly after the cigarette delivery trucks depart. They then enter the stores and leave with large amounts of product.
Anyone with information on the identities and whereabouts of the suspects is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-780-TIPS (8477). All callers will remain anonymous and will be eligible for a cash reward of up to $1,000. Tips may also be made online at www.southwestfloridacrimestoppers.com or by submitting a tip on the P3Tips mobile app.
Armed suspect sought in Friday night robbery
February 14, 2018
STATUS: OPENSouthwest Florida Crime Stoppers is asking for the public’s help identifying a suspect who held up a Lee County business at gunpoint last night.
At 8:20 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 9, deputies responded to an armed robbery at A & E La Numero, located at 11530 S Cleveland Avenue. The suspect entered the business and used a table to jump a partial wall. The suspect pointed a handgun at the victims and demanded money. The victims, who were in fear for their lives, handed over cash from the till. After loading the cash into a bag, the suspect fled the scene in an unknown direction.
The suspect is described as possibly a Hispanic male, with light green eyes, approximately 5’8”, 160-170 pounds, wearing a black ski mask, black long sleeved shirt, black pants, gloves with gray tops and red palms with no designs, and carrying a black pistol. The gloves looked to be construction type gloves.
Anyone with information on the identity and whereabouts of the suspect is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-780-TIPS (8477). All callers will be eligible for a cash reward of up to $1,000. Tips may also be made online at www.southwestfloridacrimestoppers.com or by submitting a tip on the P3Tips mobile app.
Armed duo sought in North Fort Myers robbery
February 05, 2018
STATUS: OPENSouthwest Florida Crime Stoppers is asking for the public’s help identifying two men who robbed a North Fort Myers storage facility this morning.
Just before 11 a.m., two men walked into the Extra Space Storage, located at 4150 Hancock Bridge Parkway, both wearing ski masks and carrying guns. One suspect locked the front door while the other robber ran around the counter and demanded to know where the safe was. The victim told the suspects that there was no safe, at which point they demanded to know where the money was. After motioning in the direction of the cash register, one suspect removed an undisclosed amount of cash, while the second suspect ordered the employee to a back room. Once in the room, they again demanded to know the location of the safe, to which the victim reiterated he did not have one. After opening a closet door, one suspect grabbed a digital video recorder , which he placed in his backpack. Both suspects then left the business with the cash, DVR system and several checks that were made out to Extra Space Storage.
The first suspect is described as a black or dark skinned Hispanic male, 5’8”, 180 pounds, wearing a black ski mask, a black long sleeved button up shirt, black pants, black gloves, carrying a black pistol. The second suspect is also described as a black or dark skinned Hispanic male, between 5’11” and 6’0”, thin build, wearing a black ski mask, a tan long sleeved button up shirt, blue jeans, black Nike sneakers, black gloves and armed with a black handgun.
Anyone with information on the identities of these suspects, or who may have seen any suspicious activity in that area around 11 a.m. this morning is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-780-TIPS (8477). All callers will remain anonymous and will be eligible for a cash reward of up to $1,000. Tips may also be made online at www.southwestfloridacrimestoppers.com or by submitting a tip on the P3Tips mobile app.
Armed robbers target two businesses overnight
February 05, 2018
STATUS: OPENSouthwest Florida Crime Stoppers is asking for the public’s help identifying two armed gunmen who converged on two Lehigh Acres stores overnight.
The first incident occurred at 11:50 p.m. on Sunday, February 4 at the Mobil gas station, located at 233 Joel Boulevard. The on-duty clerk saw two black males, wearing masks and carrying handguns, quickly approach the front door of the store. The men were unable to get in, since the door was locked and all transactions at that hour are conducted through a window. Realizing they couldn’t gain entry, the suspects quickly left on foot headed eastbound.
Just over two hours later, at 2:25 a.m., two black males entered the 7-Eleven, located at 1626 Meadow Road in Lehigh. Armed with handguns, the men demanded cash from the registers. The clerk was only able to open one register, and handed over an undisclosed amount of cash. After one of the suspects threatened the employee, he handed over the remaining two registers in fear for his life.
Both suspects are described as approximately 6’0” with a thin build. They both wore all dark clothing and masks.
Anyone with any information on the identities and whereabouts of the suspects is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-780-TIPS (8477). All callers will remain anonymous and will be eligible for a cash reward of up to $1,000. Tips may also be made online at www.southwestfloridacrimestoppers.com or by submitting a tip on the P3Tips mobile app.
Armed gunmen rob Family Dollar store in Lehigh
February 03, 2018
STATUS: OPENSouthwest Florida Crime Stoppers is asking for the public’s help identifying two armed gunmen who robbed a Lehigh Acres Family Dollar store last night.
Around 9:30 p.m., a black male entered the store, located at 2005 Joel Boulevard, while a second black male suspect stood guard at the front door. While pointing a gun at the two on-duty clerks, the suspect demanded cash from the register. After receiving an undisclosed amount of cash, the men fled in an unknown direction.
Both suspects are described as being approximately 6’0” with a thin build. Both were wearing all black clothing and gloves.
Anyone with information on the identities and whereabouts of the suspects are asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-780-TIPS (8477). All callers will remain anonymous and will be eligible for a cash reward of up to $1,000. Tips may also be made online at www.southwestfloridacrimestoppers.com or by submitting a tip on the P3Tips mobile app.
Suspects sought in string of car burglaries
January 18, 2018
STATUS: OPENOne of the suspects in the rash of recent car burglaries in Lehigh Acres was arrested early this morning, charged with several criminal counts including the break-in of a vehicle just 24 hours prior.
Deputies responded to a domestic disturbance around 6 p.m. last night on 15th Street SW. During their investigation, deputies recognized Matthew Mangham (DOB 3/10/93) as a possible suspect in the vehicle break-ins. Inside his vehicle, they found a camouflage shirt, identical to the one worn during the burglary. Also found was a semi-automatic handgun which had been reported as stolen earlier in the month, as well as other items. This morning, detectives charged Mangham with one count of burglary, as well as battery, resisting officers and grand theft. He is currently being held without bond in the Lee County Jail. Mangham has priors in Lee County for domestic violence, theft, burglary and grand theft auto, and has spent time in state prison for burglary related charges.
Information is still being sought for other individuals responsible for the Lehigh vehicle break-ins. Anyone with information on the identities of the other suspects is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-780-TIPS (8477). All callers will remain anonymous and will be eligible for a cash reward of up to $1,000. Tips may also be made online at www.southwestfloridacrimestoppers.com or by submitting a tip on the P3Tips mobile app.
Detectives are releasing new images this evening of an additional suspect, who has consistently worn a camouflage jacket, in several of the Lehigh vehicle burglaries. Crime Stoppers is hoping that someone may recognize this individual, who may be lingering in the Sunshine Boulevard and Lee Boulevard areas in the overnight hours.
Since mid-December, there has been a vast increase in vehicle burglaries and property thefts throughout the Lehigh Acres community. Not all targeted vehicles have been unlocked as the suspects have been seen, in some instances, using a slim-jim tool to open locked vehicle doors. The uptick of car burglaries serves as a reminder to residents to always ensure that their car doors are locked and to bring all items of value, especially firearms, inside the home.
Anyone with information on the identities of the suspects involved with these crimes, particularly the male wearing the camouflage jacket, is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-780-TIPS (8477). Tips may also be made online at www.southwestfloridacrimestoppers.com or by submitting a tip on the P3Tips mobile app.
Within the last 48 hours, several additional break-ins have occurred within the same corridor of Lehigh Acres as the previous incidents. Detectives believe the same suspects are responsible for most, if not all, of the burglaries. Additional photographs, as well as a video clip, of the suspects are being provided in hopes of identifying the persons involved.
The uptick of car burglaries serves as a reminder to residents to always ensure that their car doors are locked and to bring all items of value, especially firearms, inside the home.
ORIGINAL PRESS RELEASE: JANUARY 16, 2018
Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers is asking for the public’s help identifying one or more suspects involved in a string of Lehigh Acres car burglaries over the last few weeks.
Three of the documented break-ins occurred between Christmas Day and December 28th. In one instance, the victim noticed that a money clip was missing from the center console of her unlocked car and that papers from the console were strewn about the car. Among the items taken from the vehicle, which was parked at a residence on 1st Street SW, were a radar detector, $500 in cash, several gift cards and an American Express credit card, which was used at various locations throughout Lee County om December 26. Detectives believe the same suspect(s) are responsible for a similar break-in on nearby 4th Street SW, where numerous credit cards and gift cards were removed from a car in the overnight hours of December 27. The victim was informed of the theft when one of her credit card companies inquired about questionable purchases. She soon learned that an unknown person made a $60 transaction at the Beall’s store in Lehigh Acres, however subsequent transactions at Capital Pawn and Family Dollar were both declined.
On December 28th, a third suspect reported that her car had been broken into the night before, possibly due to a faulty locking mechanism. When she opened her car door in the morning, she noticed that items were scattered on the floorboard and that her loaded Sig Sauer 9mm gun had been stolen. A laptop, purse and numerous credit cards had also been taken by the unknown suspect.
Surveillance cameras at Lehigh area businesses captured images of at least one suspect using several of the stolen cards. Anyone with information on the identity and whereabouts of the suspect(s) is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-780-TIPS (8477). All callers will remain anonymous and will be eligible for a cash reward of up to $1,000. Tips may also be made online at www.southwestfloridacrimestoppers.com or by submitting a tip on the P3Tips mobile app.
Cigarette thief strikes stores two mornings in a row
January 18, 2018
STATUS: OPEN
Suspects sought after robbery at ATM
January 17, 2018
STATUS: OPEN
Thieves prey on family moving into new home
January 08, 2018
STATUS: OPENSouthwest Florida Crime Stoppers is asking for the public’s help identifying what appears to be four young men who broke into a newly constructed North Naples home last month.
On December 7th, around 2:30 a.m., four male suspects broke into the home, located at 482 Ridge Drive in Naples. After gaining entry through the front door, the suspects rummaged through the home to steal whatever items they could find. Since the home was newly constructed, and the homeowners were in the early stages of moving in, the suspects didn’t have much to choose from, but did take multiple items from the house. Detectives believe that at least one of the unidentified men was armed with a handgun during the break-in.
Anyone with information on the identities and whereabouts of the suspects, whose images were all caught on camera, is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-780-TIPS (8477). All callers will remain anonymous and will be eligible for a cash reward of up to $1,000. Tips may also be made online at www.southwestfloridacrimestoppers.com or by submitting a tip on the P3Tips mobile app.
Lee County woman still missing one year later
January 05, 2018
STATUS: OPENSouthwest Florida Crime Stoppers is asking for the public’s help trying to find a woman who went missing one year ago today.
Keri Ann Cefarelli was last seen on January 5, 2017 in the central Fort Myers area. Family members and friends have been extremely worried about Keri’s whereabouts and safety and have worked with detectives over the last year trying to find her. Cefarelli did have a history of drug use, and there is a possibility that she could be in the area still using narcotics. She is now 41 years old, 5’5” and 120 pounds with brown eyes.
“The last year has been a struggle for Keri’s family in not knowing what happened to her,” said Trish Routte, Crime Stoppers Coordinator. “When someone seemingly falls off the grid, the people who love her are instinctively going to envision every scenario possible. The goal is to find Keri safe and return her to her parents and teenage son.”
Anyone who has seen Cefarelli at any point in the last few months is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-780-TIPS (8477). All callers will remain anonymous and will be eligible for a cash reward of up to $1,000. Tips may also be made online at www.southwestfloridacrimestoppers.com or by submitting a tip on the P3Tips mobile app. No information is too small or minor to share.
Concerned clerk throws robber off his game
January 04, 2018
STATUS: OPEN
| Page 10 of 10 | 193 Records | Prev | Next |