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.
Gun toting suspect sought after late night robbery
July 01, 2019
STATUS: OPEN
Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers is asking for the public’s help identifying and tracking down an armed suspect who robbed a Lee County Circle K last night.
Just after 11:30 p.m., a black male, wearing all black clothing, entered the Circle K, located at 11225 S. Cleveland Avenue, holding a silver gun. He immediately proceeded behind the counter, where he pointed the gun at a clerk and demanded money. After receiving an undisclosed amount of cash, the man fled the store in a southbound direction.
He is described as being in his mid 20’s, thin build, dark skinned, wearing a black mask, black bandanna, black hat and black pants. 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 $3,000. Tips may also be made online at www.southwestfloridacrimestoppers.com or by submitting a tip on the P3Tips mobile app.
Armed suspect sought in early morning 7-Eleven robbery
June 24, 2019
STATUS: OPEN
Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers is asking for the public’s help identifying and tracking down the man who robbed a south Lee County convenience store at gunpoint early this morning.
The unidentified man walked into the 7-Eleven, located at 9990 Interstate Commerce Drive, at 3:13 a.m. with a gun pointed at the store’s clerks. The suspect walked to the rear of the counter and waited for employees to empty the cash registers into plastic bags, before leaving the store just one minute later with an undisclosed amount of money and gun in hand. The suspect is described as a black male with a thin build, in his late 20s or early 30s, approximately 5’6” to 5’8”, wearing blue gloves, black shoes, black jeans, a black shirt covered by a lime green t-shirt and a lime green safety vest. He wore a white bandanna over this face during the robbery, as well as dark sunglasses and a black hat.
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 $3,000. Tips may also be made online at www.southwestfloridacrimestoppers.com or by submitting a tip on the P3Tips mobile app.
UPDATE - Robbery suspect at large in North Fort Myers
May 29, 2019
STATUS: ARRESTED
After being on the run for well over a year, the man accused of robbing a Wells Fargo Bank in North Fort Myers last January is heading back to the familiar setting of a jail cell.
This afternoon, Anthony Masters, DOB 11/11/69, was charged with the January 22, 2018 robbery at the bank’s Pine Island Road location. Today’s arrest follows recent bank robberies in Cape Coral, for which Masters was developed as a suspect. Robbery detectives with the Lee County Sheriff’s Office conducted an interview with Masters regarding his role in the 2018 Wells Fargo hold up and have now charged him with one count of unarmed robbery.
Masters is no stranger to a life of crime, having been booked 15 times since 1987 on a list of crimes that include weapons offenses, grand theft, burglary, contempt and hit and run causing property damage. In addition to his local jail time, Masters has also been incarcerated in Taylor, Bradford and Washington Counties, on charges of attempted robbery, weapons offenses, aggravated battery and battery on a law enforcement officer. For his crimes, he’s been sent to state prison three times for a duration of roughly 15 years.
Masters will be booked later today in the Lee County Jail.
In hopes of identifying the person responsible for robbing the Wells Fargo bank in North Fort Myers last month, an additional reward of up to $5,000 has been posted for information resulting in an arrest and conviction. This reward, which is being offered by Wells Fargo, is in addition to the $1,000 being offered by Crime Stoppers.
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 from Crime Stoppers and up to $5,000 from Wells Fargo. Tips may also be made online at www.southwestfloridacrimestoppers.com or by submitting a tip through the P3Tips mobile app.
Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers is asking for the public’s help tracking down a man who robbed a North Fort Myers bank this afternoon.
Just after 2:15 p.m. this afternoon, an unidentified man entered the Wells Fargo Bank, located at 3041 Pine Island Road, and presented a note to the teller demanding cash. The man fled the bank on foot with an undisclosed amount of money and headed towards the nearby McDonald’s on foot. He may have left the area in a blue Dodge Ram truck.
The suspect is described as being in his 50s, 5’10” with salt and pepper hair and a beard. He was wearing jeans, a yellow sweatshirt, a blue Steelers baseball cap and dark sunglasses at the time of the robbery. No gun was visible to the teller.
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 atwww.southwestfloridacrimestoppers.com or by submitting a tip through the P3Tips mobile app.
SW Florida Crime Stoppers Awarded At Regional Conference
May 08, 2019
Earlier this evening, Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers was awarded for being the Most Productive Crime Stoppers program in the entire Southeastern US. The Productivity Award was given at a banquet culminating the 38th annual training conference for the Southeastern Crime Stoppers Association in Asheville, NC. The Productivity Award is based on the number of tips received during 2018, as well as the number of arrests, cases cleared, as well as the value of drugs and property seized as a result of anonymous tips. Tonight’s award presentation marks the 14thconsecutive year that Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers has earned the designation of the Most Productive program in the region. In addition to the Productivity Award, Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers also earned the Most Creative Advertising Award.
“The success of our program is a testament to the value and importance of having a Crime Stoppers program in our community,” said Trish Routte, Board Coordinator, who was on hand in Asheville to receive these awards. “We have spent years building trust so that residents know they can reach out to us 24 hours a day and share what they know about unsolved crimes and wanted fugitives, without ever having their identities revealed. Community members continue to step up and provide tips which have led to hundreds of criminals being taken off the streets, and relocated to a jail cell, every year. These awards are a testament to the successful relationships between Crime Stoppers, law enforcement and the general public.”
To date, anonymous tips to Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers number well over 75,000, resulting in the closure of more than 20,000 criminal cases. Tips have also led to the seizure of $18,938,000 in drugs and stolen property. And for those tips, $1.993 million in cash rewards have been approved for payout.
Suspect sought after business robbed at gunpoint
April 29, 2019
STATUS: OPEN
Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers is asking for the public’s help identifying and tracking down a suspect who held up a Lee County check cashing store at gunpoint Friday afternoon.
Just after 3:30 p.m. on Friday, April 26th, an unidentified white male walked into the Advance America, located at 11861 Palm Beach Boulevard, brandishing a handgun and demanding money. Before leaving the business with an undisclosed amount of cash, the suspect removed the landline telephone. Witnesses say he left the store, then walked across the parking lot to a nearby 7-Eleven convenience store. After a brief encounter at the 7-Eleven, he fled the area on foot.
Anyone with information on 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 $3,000. Tips may also be made online at www.southwestfloridacrimestoppers.com or by submitting a tip on the P3Tips mobile app.
Bank robbery suspect at large
April 16, 2019
STATUS: OPEN
Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers is asking for the public’s help identifying and tracking down a man who robbed the BB & T Bank, located at 9090 Daniels Parkway, late this morning.
Just before noon, a man wearing a surgical mask and baseball cap approached a teller with a note demanding cash. The teller complied and the man, who walked with a cane, fled the bank. At no point was a gun displayed by the suspect. According to witnesses, the suspect is described as being a white male in his mid 40s to early 50s.
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 $3,000. Tips may also be made online at www.southwestfloridacrimestoppers.com or by submitting a tip on the P3Tips mobile app.
Woman accused of stealing more than $8,000 in check fraud case
March 28, 2019
STATUS: OPEN
Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers is asking for the public’s help identifying and tracking down a suspect accused of stealing more than $8,000 from a Lee County woman.
Back in December, the victim left her purse in her locked vehicle while she attended the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Naples during the mid-day hours. Barely 30 minutes later, she returned to her vehicle, only to find the rear driver side window busted out and her purse and all of its contents gone. She immediately reported her credit cards as missing, but just over a month later discovered that her checkbook had fallen into the wrong hands. As it turns out, an unknown female used five of her checks and cashed them at different Suncoast Credit Union branches throughout Lee County over the course of a two day period. The first check that cleared was for $1,500, with four subsequent checks cut and cashed for increments that increased by $100 each time, for a grand total of $8,500.
Surveillance cameras captured a picture of the female suspect during one of her five transactions. Detectives believe she may be driving a newer model black SUV, possibly a Lexus. Anyone with information on the identity and whereabouts of the woman 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 $3,000. Tips may also be made online at www.southwestfloridacrimestoppers.com or by submitting a tip on the P3Tips mobile app.
Witnesses still sought in fatal I-75 shooting
March 21, 2019
STATUS: OPEN
Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers is once again asking for the public’s help tracking down witnesses in a fatal shooting that occurred on I-75 in mid-December.
Around 4:30 a.m. on Sunday, December 16, 2018, officers responded to a scene around Mile Marker 125 on I-75, just south of Alico Road, where a car had crashed into the median. Upon further inspection, it was learned that the driver of the car, 29 year old Ronald Green, had been shot and was suffering from life threatening injuries. Nearly three weeks later, Green succumbed to those injuries and the shooting turned into a homicide investigation.
While some drivers who were in the area at the time of the shooting have spoken to detectives, there is a continued need for information from other drivers who happened to be in the vicinity that morning. Any drivers who may have witnessed the shooting, or any altercation along that portion of I-75 around 4:30 a.m. on December 16th 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 $3,000. Tips may also be made online at www.southwestfloridacrimestoppers.comor by submitting a tip on the P3Tips mobile app.
UPDATE - Suspect sought in sex crime
March 16, 2019
STATUS: ARRESTED
** UPDATE #1 **
Within the last hour, the man accused of committing a sex crime on a local woman has been arrested.
As a result of an anonymous tip to Crime Stoppers, coupled with thorough detective work by Lee County Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes detectives, Marquest Ruffin, DOB 12/13/90, was arrested this evening on charges of lewd/lascivious molestation, lewd/lascivious battery and kidnapping. Ruffins is currently en route to the Lee County Jail. His mugshot will be available later this evening.
ORIGINAL PRESS RELEASE: MARCH 12, 2019
Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers is asking for the public’s help identifying and tracking down an unidentified man believed to have been involved with a sex crime early Monday evening.
According to detectives, the female victim was walking down Equestrian Circle, near World Plaza Drive, just before 6:30 p.m. on Monday, March 11. An unknown man, driving a white four-door sedan, approached the victim and attempted to pull her into his vehicle. During this time, a sex crime was committed before the female could break free and run to safety.
The suspect is described as being approximately 28 years old, 6’0”, with a thin build, short dreadlocked hair and a thin mustache. The white sedan may have a zebra patterned steering wheel with pink trim. 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 $3,000. Tips may also be made online at www.southwestfloridacrimestoppers.com or by submitting a tip on the P3Tips mobile app.
Thieves targeting gym lockers
March 13, 2019
Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers is asking for the public’s help tracking down one or more individuals involved with a series of gym locker thefts in Lee County over the last week.
At least three victims have reported that their credit cards were stolen from secured lockers at Crunch Fitness Gym, located at 16230 Summerlin Road, while they worked out. In each of the cases, the victims placed their personal belongings in a gym locker, secured the locker with a combination lock, then returned to find credit cards and other personal information stolen. In each of the instances, stolen credit cards were used within an hour of the thefts, to the tune of several thousand dollars in total. On March 6th, a victim stated that he locked up his wallet at 8 a.m., only to return at 9 a.m. to find credit cards missing. He immediately contacted the credit card companies to alert them of the thefts, but was told that one of the cards had already been used for a $1,544 purchase at Best Buy. The very next day, another victim secured his locker around 1:25 p.m., returning at 2 p.m. Two credit cards were missing from his wallet – one of which was used at 2:03 p.m. at Target for $565 and another at 2:38 p.m. at a different Target store for $628. According to detectives, at least one other similar theft has been reported at that location in the last several days.
At this point, only one of the fraudulent transactions made with a stolen credit card have been captured on surveillance video. The suspect is described as a white female. Anyone with information on the identity 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 $3,000. Tips may also be made online at www.southwestfloridacrimestoppers.com or by submitting a tip on the P3Tips mobile app.
Armed robbers on the run after late night hold up
March 08, 2019
STATUS: OPEN
Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers is asking for the public’s help identifying and tracking down two suspects who robbed a Lehigh Acres food truck at gunpoint last night.
Just before midnight on Thursday, employees of the Los Taquitos Mexican Food truck, located at 3305 Lee Blvd., were preparing to close for the evening when two males, wearing all black clothing, approached from a nearby vacant field. The employees were ordered to the ground, while the suspects held them at gunpoint. One of the victims was told to get up and retrieve all the money from the cash register, while the second employee was held on the ground and told not to make eye contact with the robbers. After grabbing an undisclosed amount of cash, as well as the victims cell phones, cash and jewelry, the men fled on foot. They are described as being between 19 and 25 years of age, both with thin builds. One of the suspects spoke in English and is believed to be a light-skinned black male; the second suspect is a white or Hispanic male who spoke Spanish, possibly with a Cuban accent.
Anyone with information on the identities or whereabouts of either 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 $3,000. Tips may also be made online at www.southwestfloridacrimestoppers.com or by submitting a tip on the P3Tips mobile app.
UPDATE - Concerned citizens increase reward for arrest of animal abuser
March 07, 2019
STATUS: SOLVEDAdditional financial pledges over the last 24 hours have led to the reward jumping by $2,100 to a total of $16,600. Of that reward, $13,600 would be awarded upon the arrest and conviction of the person responsible, with the other up to $3,000 being rewarded to an anonymous tipster who provides information leading to an arrest only in Chance’s case.
ORIGINAL PRESS RELEASE: MARCH 6, 2019
Nearly a week after a young dog was found in Lehigh Acres with its mouth taped shut and suffering from multiple injuries, anonymous donors are adding to the reward fund to help find the person responsible for the abuse.
As of this afternoon, concerned citizens and organizations have pledged $11,500 to the reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction. The amount is added to the reward of up to $3,000 being offered by Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers, bringing the total number to $14,500. The injured dog, who has since been named Chance, was found last Thursday, Feb. 28th in the 3000 block of 42nd Street SW in Lehigh Acres. He is currently being treated for his injuries and is well on the road to a full recovery.
“There has been an outpouring of concern and support for Chance, coupled with a strong desire to see the person responsible for inflicting his injuries to be identified and arrested,” said Trish Routte, Crime Stoppers Coordinator. “While the reward money is a motivator for some, we hope that anyone who has information on this crime will come forward because it’s the right thing to do.”
Anyone with information on the abuse of Chance 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 $3,000 from Crime Stoppers and $11,500 from other donors. Tips may also be made online at www.southwestfloridacrimestoppers.comor by submitting a tip on the P3Tips mobile app.
Suspects sought in early morning armed robbery
March 07, 2019
STATUS: OPEN
Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers is asking for the public’s help identifying and tracking down two masked men who robbed a 7-Eleven convenience store at gunpoint early this morning.
The suspects entered the store, located at 11700 S. Cleveland Avenue, at 2:53 a.m. The black male suspect brandished a small caliber black semiautomatic pistol and demanded all the money from the cash register, while the Hispanic male suspect jumped over the counter with a black backpack and grabbed an undisclosed amount of money, as well as multiple Instant Lottery tickets. The men quickly fled the store on foot, headed westbound on Palm Drive.
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 $3,000. Tips may also be made online at www.southwestfloridacrimestoppers.com or by submitting a tip on the P3Tips mobile app.
Slick talker scams cash from local bank
March 07, 2019
STATUS: OPEN
Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers is asking for the public’s help identifying a theft suspect who scammed a bank out of more than $1,800.
According to detectives, the suspect walked into the Regions Bank, located at 13520 North Cleveland Avenue, on Monday, Feb. 11th. The man, who claimed to be Australian, approached a teller and stated that he wanted to exchange $4,200 in $100 dollar bills for $50 dollar bills on behalf of his mother, who was supposedly a customer of the bank. After confirming that the $100 dollar bills were authentic, the teller exchanged the money for the $50 dollar bills requested. After taking receipt of the stack of cash, the suspect said that he actually wanted to exchange the money for $50 bills in Australian currency. The teller explained that the bank did not carry foreign cash and that he would need to go elsewhere to make that transaction. The unidentified man then placed the stack of $50 bills through the cashier’s money tray and asked for his original $100 bills back. The teller complied with that request, at which point the suspect left the bank. Shortly after his exit, the teller realized that the $50 bills that were returned to her contained significantly less money than she gave the suspect – to the tune of $1,850. Detectives believe the suspect slyly slid some of the cash inside his shirt during the exchange, and left before the teller noticed the discrepancy.
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 $3,000. Tips may also be made online at www.southwestfloridacrimestoppers.com or by submitting a tip through the P3Tips mobile app.
Property search nets need for new leads in cold case
March 05, 2019
STATUS: OPEN
Just over a month after a property search in Punta Gorda was conducted in the Christine Flahive cold case, detectives and Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers are asking for any information on a person of interest.
This morning, Jonathan Charles Payne was named as one person of interest in the disappearance and murder of Christine Flahive on January 4, 1995. Christine was last seen by family members at home, before she left on her bicycle to go to a local bar. She was known to frequent J.D.’s Lounge in downtown Punta Gorda during that time frame, and detectives believe multiple individuals who also frequented that establishment may also have pivotal information that can help solve this case. Cold case detectives have confirmed that Jonathan Payne had close ties to the Rollins Street location, which was searched in January 2019 by the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office, the State Attorney’s Office and the Peace River K-9 Search and Rescue team. Payne, like Christine Flahive, was also a frequent patron of J.D.’s Lounge.
Although Payne passed away in 2011, Crime Stoppers and detectives are anxious to hear from anyone who knew or had contact with Payne around the time that Flahive was murdered.
Anyone with information on Jonathan Charles Payne, or any other aspect of the Christine Flahive murder, 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 $3,000. Tips may also be made on the P3Tips mobile app.
UPDATE - Armed suspect hides in car, robs Lehigh man
February 28, 2019
STATUS: ARRESTED
** UPDATE #1 **
As a result of several anonymous Crime Stoppers tips, coupled with thorough investigative work, detectives arrested Brandon Francisque (DOB 9/3/95) early this morning in connection with the December robbery in Lehigh Acres. Francisque has been formally charged with robbery with a firearm, kidnapping/false imprisonment, sexual assault, grand theft, property damage and two counts of burglary.
“We appreciate the tipsters who came forward to share what they knew about this case and Mr. Francisque’s alleged involvement,” said Trish Routte, Crime Stoppers Coordinator. “We’re sure the victim will rest easier this evening knowing that his accused assailant is finally behind bars.”
Francisque is currently being held without bond in the Lee County Jail.
ORIGINAL PRESS RELEASE: JANUARY 1, 2019
Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers is asking for the public’s help identifying and tracking down an armed suspect accused of robbing a Lehigh Acres man in his own car.
The victim said he drove to the 7-Eleven convenience store, located on Sunshine Boulevard and SR 82, around 5 a.m. on Monday, December 17th to purchase a drink. When he returned to his car, an unknown black male was sitting in the rear passenger seat, brandishing a firearm. The suspect demanded the victim’s money and cell phone, however all he had was his phone on him. Insisting that he wanted cash, the suspect forced the victim to drive to a Chase Bank several miles away and withdraw $800 in cash. After handing over the money, the victim was ordered to drive back into Lehigh and drop the suspect off on SR 82 near Sunshine Boulevard. The victim was told to remain seated in the car, with his head on the steering wheel, until the suspect had enough time to leave the area on foot. Once the man was gone, the victim drove home and called 9-1-1.
Detectives believe a man captured on surveillance video just prior to the robbery is the suspect in this case. Now, they hope someone will be able to identify and help locate him. 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 $3,000. Tips may also be made online at www.southwestfloridacrimestoppers.com or by submitting a tip on the P3Tips mobile app.
Tips sought in high school threat
February 26, 2019
Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers is asking for the public’s help, and especially students help, tracking down the person responsible for writing a threat in two bathroom stalls at Cypress Lake High School yesterday morning.
A student reported that someone had written “Dead” and “I’ll shoot up this school” on the walls of two stalls in the boys bathroom on campus, just over an hour after the school day started on Monday, February 25. Detectives say the threat was written with a sharpie. At this point, investigators say the threat appears to be non-credible and seems to be a hoax.
“Students need to realize that making school threats will absolutely lead to negative repercussions, ranging from suspension to arrest,” said Trish Routte, Crime Stoppers Coordinator. “Every single threat is treated with immediate priority response, and requires law enforcement to detract from other necessary duties to investigate. Making these kind of false threats is no joke and students will be held responsible for their actions.”
Anyone with information on the person or persons responsible for Monday’s threats at Cypress Lake High School 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 $3,000. Tips may also be made online at www.southwestfloridacrimestoppers.com or by submitting a tip on the P3Tips mobile app.
Prolific drug dealer added to Crime Stoppers 10 Most Wanted list
February 15, 2019
STATUS: ARRESTED
A repeat violent offender with an extensive criminal history has been added to Crime Stoppers 10 Most Wanted list this afternoon.
Jarquel Jenkins (DOB 9/18/91) is currently wanted for the sale and delivery of cocaine on the streets of Lee County. Jenkins is a very familiar face to law enforcement, with a felony criminal record that dates back to his teenage years. Jenkins, who is now 27, has priors for kidnapping, battery, aggravated assault with the threat to do violence while wearing a hood or mask, burglary, fleeing and eluding officers and the sale and delivery of heroin. In 2009, he was charged with two counts of homicide, however those charges were later dropped.
Jenkins is 5’6”, 250 pounds and is known on the streets as “Cricket.” Although he moves around frequently, he has established ties in both the Pine Manor and Harlem Heights areas.
Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Jarquel Jenkins 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 $3,000. Tips may also be made online at www.southwestfloridacrimestoppers.com or by submitting a tip on the P3Tips mobile app.
Armed suspect sought in Lee County robbery
February 01, 2019
STATUS: OPEN
Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers is asking for the public’s help tracking down an armed suspect who robbed a Palm Beach Boulevard convenience store last night.
Just after 7:30 p.m. on January 31st, the male suspect entered the Quick and Easy Beverages store, located at 4648 Palm Beach Boulevard. He immediately approached the counter with a black bag in one hand and a small caliber silver semiautomatic pistol in the other. While pointing the gun at the employees, the suspect demanded all the cash in the register. In fear for their lives, the clerks complied. The suspect fled the store and was last seen heading northbound on Palm Beach Boulevard.
The suspect is described as a white, light-skinned male, approximately 5’6”, wearing all black clothing and a black mask, carrying the silver firearm. His shoes were also all black, but had a distinctive white marking in the center of the shoe.
Anyone with information on this armed bandit 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 $3,000. Tips may also be made online at www.southwestfloridacrimestoppers.com or by submitting a tip on the P3Tips mobile app.
Suspected armed robber returns to targeted business
February 01, 2019
STATUS: OPEN
Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers is asking for the public’s help identifying a man who returned to a Lehigh Acres business this afternoon, just over a month after he’s accused of robbing the store at gunpoint.
Around noon this afternoon, the Lee County Sheriff’s Office received a 9-1-1 call regarding a suspicious person at the Advance America check cashing store, located at 1119 Homestead Road. A known customer was about to be buzzed into the locked business when a male coming from the alleyway walked up behind her. The man was wearing sunglasses and a hat, which prompted employees to motion to him to remove the accessories before unlocking the door, which became standard procedure after the store was robbed at gunpoint on December 21st. Two employees, who both happened to be present for the December robbery, immediately recognized the man who held up the store previously. They both screamed, which caused the suspicious male to take off running. A perimeter was established in the area, with officers on the ground, K-9 units, as well as aviation assistance. The search for the gloved man did not result in his apprehension, however.
The suspicious person who fled this afternoon matches the description of the December 21st robbery suspect. He is a white male, in his 50’s, approximately 6’0”, with a grey short beard. The December robbery occurred around 12:30 p.m., and today’s incident happened around the same time of day.
Anyone who may have been in the area of the Advance America store on Homestead Road this afternoon, who may have recognized someone fitting the suspect’s description, 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 $3,000. Tips may also be made online at www.southwestfloridacrimestoppers.comor by submitting a tip on the P3Tips mobile app.
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