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.
** UPDATE #2 **
Just over a week after an unknown suspect attempted to pull a woman into his truck in the parking lot of an Estero housing complex, Crime Stoppers is still asking for the public’s help.
A composite sketch of the man was released last week, and multiple anonymous tips have been received. Detectives, however, are looking for more input on possible names to pair with the sketch. Anyone who recognizes the man in the sketch 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 #1 ** SEPTEMBER 24, 2018
After meeting with detectives this morning, the victim was able to help investigators create a composite sketch of the man who attempted to kidnap her last night. Anyone with information on the identity and whereabouts of this man is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-780-TIPS (8477).
Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers is asking for the public’s help identifying and tracking down a suspect who tried to kidnap a young woman late last night.
The victim pulled into the parking lot at The Residences college dorm, located at 19801 Village Center Drive in Estero, just after 11:30 p.m., when she heard a vehicle speeding behind her. When she turned around to look, the vehicle came to a stop right next to her and the driver exited the vehicle. Without saying a word, the man grabbed the victims jacket and began forcibly pulling her towards his car. In fear for her safety, the victim fought back until the suspect let go. The victim managed to run away and call for help, while the suspect fled towards nearby shops and then eventually onto Ben Hill Griffin Boulevard.
The suspect is described as a white male, in his late 20s or early 30s, with a thin build, blond hair, brown eyes and a possible scar under his left eye near his nose. He was driving a black Ford SUV, possibly an Explorer.
Anyone who may have witnessed the attempted kidnapping, or who may have any information on 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.
Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers is asking for the public’s help identifying and tracking down two suspects who broke into a North Fort Myers home this weekend and stole jewelry, prescription medicine and several firearms.
A home security system captured images of the men breaking into the home on Palm Isle Circle just after 3 a.m. on Saturday, September 29th. After approaching the house on foot, one suspect used a crow bar to pry the front door open. Once inside the home, both men proceeded to ransack the residence, rummaging through drawers, file cabinets and two locked safes. Before leaving through a sliding glass door, the suspects loaded a laptop, several firearms, more than $75,000 in jewelry, as well as prescription medication, into pillow cases taken from one of the bedrooms.
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.
Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers is asking for the public’s help identifying two women who are believed to be part of a crew involved with multiple theft and fraud cases at stores throughout Lee and Charlotte Counties over the last few weeks.
According to detectives, the females are making their rounds at Walmart stores throughout Southwest Florida by stealing items outright, as well as making fraudulent purchases. The suspects have been using diversion tactics in some of the instances, including one last week at the Walmart store located at 14821 Six Mile Cypress Parkway. While at that establishment, two women went to the cash register with a basket full of purchases. After the items were scanned by the cashier, one of the women asked for cigarettes. When the cashier turned her back, one of the women pretended to swipe a credit card, to imply she was paying for the purchase, while the second suspect reached across the counter to finalize the transaction on the register. When the employee turned around, it appeared that the sale had been completed, at which point the women were given a receipt and left the store with the items that they truly never paid for. This method has been duplicated at stores throughout the region, and the women caught on surveillance cameras are believed to be part of a larger enterprise targeting stores primarily in Southwest Florida.
Anyone with information on the identities and whereabouts of these women 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.
As a result of a Crime Stoppers tip, the suspect in last Friday’s attempted robbery at the Zoom Thru convenience store is now in custody.
Deputies identified and arrested Richard Kyle McDowell (DOB 9/11/92) late yesterday afternoon. McDowell was charged with one count of armed robbery and is now being held without bond in the Lee County Jail.
ORIGINAL PRESS RELEASE: SEPTEMBER 1, 2019
Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers is asking for the public’s help identifying and tracking down a suspect who robbed a Lee County convenience store at knifepoint early Friday evening.
At 5:16 p.m. on August 31, an unidentified white male rode a bicycle to the Zoom Thru convenience store, located at 14088 Palm Beach Boulevard. After requesting a pack of cigarettes and a Monster drink, the suspect jumped the chain between the drive through and the store and pulled a large hunting knife on the clerk, demanding all the cash in the register. Moments later, a customer pulled up behind him, prompting the suspect to flee on his bike. The customer chased the suspect for a brief time, before the armed robber ditched his bike and took off on foot.
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 on the P3Tips mobile app.
Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers is asking for the public’s help identifying an armed suspect who tried to rob a North Fort Myers at gunpoint Monday night.
The victim arrived at her Foxlake Drive home around 7 p.m. on September 3rd. Before exiting the car, she sat in the vehicle for a few minutes to return a text message. During that time, an unknown black male knocked on her window under the guise of asking for directions. When the victim opened the car door to assist the stranger, he pulled out a gun and demanded the victim’s purse. The woman refused to comply and yelled loudly, prompting the suspect to run away. It is believed that he left in a silver four-door vehicle, which quickly left the area. Detectives believe the victim was likely followed home from a trip to the Wal Mart on Pine Island Road.
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.
Nearly a month after a Lehigh Acres man rebuffed an armed suspect attempting to rob him, detectives are still hoping the pubic can help identify the suspects responsible.
Two enhanced photos of one of the suspects are being released in hopes of connecting a name to one of the armed robbers. It’s been nearly a month since the incident at the Suncoast Credit Union ATM, where two men approached the victim and demanded his cash. The victim refused to comply, and a scuffle ensued, leaving the victim with a gunshot wound to the leg. Both suspects retreated and are still at large.
Anyone with information on the identity 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.
Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers is asking for the public’s help identifying an unknown suspect who tried to use credit cards stolen from a Lehigh Acres resident.
The victim arrived at her Bainmar Drive home around 9 p.m. on July 25th, and inadvertently left her purse on the drivers side floor of her unlocked car. Within a few hours, someone broke into the car and removed her wallet, which contained $150 in cash, credit cards and personal identification. Just a few hours later, an unknown suspect attempted to use the victim’s cards at an ATM located at the Crossroads Plaza Wells Fargo bank. After several failed attempts to gain access to the victim’s funds, the bank locked the account and the suspect left with only the items stolen from the car.
Cameras on the ATM captured images of the suspect and now Crime Stoppers is hoping someone will be able to place a name with the photos. Anyone with information on the name and current whereabouts of the male 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.
Brandon Scerri, DOB 4/9/95, was reported missing off the shrimp boat “Jacob”, which was on a return trip from the Florida Keys/Dry Tortuga area. The boat docked at Fort Myers Beach this morning. Scerri is a transient on Fort Myers Beach, who has been known to frequent the Chapel by the Sea church on Estero Boulevard and has no local family members. Investigators say Scerri has been a missing person in the past and may suffer from mental health issues.
Anyone who has seen Scerri within the last 24 hours 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.
As a direct result of cooperation and assistance from the community, detectives have arrested Kevin Croft (DOB 2/16/88) for yesterday morning’s break-in at Laurel Lane Grocery store. Croft was booked into the Lee County Jail just over an hour ago and faces charges of burglary, grand theft and criminal mischief/property damage.
This afternoon’s arrest is the 21st booking for Croft, who is also a registered convicted felon. His criminal past includes multiple counts of drug use, theft and battery, among other criminal counts. He is currently being held on $15,000 bond.
Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers is asking for the public’s help identifying an unknown suspect who busted through the roof of a North Fort Myers business early Wednesday morning and stole several hundred dollars worth of lottery tickets.
Just before 1 a.m. on Wednesday, July 18th, the burglar alarm was triggered by an unknown suspect at Laurel Lane Grocery, located at 2119 Laurel Lane. When deputies arrived on scene, they discovered that the roof of the store had been breached and the business burglarized. The suspect smashed and cut through the plywood and asphalt shingled roof to enter the business. Once inside the store, surveillance video showed the man quickly move to the register area and remove several dozen lottery tickets. After shoving the tickets in his pants, he then returned to the hole in the roof and crawled his way out of the business.
The suspect is described as a white male, between 20 and 30 years of age, with an athletic build. He was clean shaven and has a short crew cut style haircut.
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.
Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers is asking for the public’s help identifying a male who attempted to rob a North Fort Myers convenience store last night.
Around 10:20 p.m. on Tuesday, July 17, an unknown suspect entered the Circle K, located at 780 Pondella Road. He immediately approached the clerk, while brandishing a knife, and stated “dollar, dollar.” Within a matter of seconds, he left the store empty handed, originally fleeing on foot, but possibly entering a white vehicle waiting nearby.
The armed suspect is a male of an unknown race, between 5’8” and 5’10”, 180 pounds, wearing a blue long sleeved hooded sweater with a lime green shirt over the hoodie. The suspect used black material to cover his face and wore gloves at the time of the attempted robbery.
Anyone with information about 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.
Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers is asking for the public’s help tracking down several individuals who slipped several bottles of costly champagne from a Lee County Publix Monday morning.
Before noon on Monday, July 16, four unknown Hispanic males entered the Publix store, located at 11851 Palm Beach Boulevard. Surveillance video shows two suspects selecting two bottles of Moet champagne and placing them into a shopping cart. Two additional suspects then approached and loaded up four more bottles of Moet. Once all customers left the aisle, the men placed nearly $350 worth of champagne into brown plastic bags. One suspect stood by the store’s front door, while a second suspect left with the brown plastic bags filled with stolen champagne. The remaining two perpetrators fled shortly thereafter.
Surveillance photos captured images of the suspects and now Crime Stoppers is hoping the public can place names with their faces. 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.
Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers has partnered with the Amazon online shopping service to help raise funds which will eventually help put criminals behind bars.
Subscribers to Amazon now have the ability to have a portion of the proceeds of their purchases designated to be donated to Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers. Users of Amazon simply need to link existing accounts to Amazon Smile, and then select Southwest Florida Crimestoppers Program Inc. Once Crime Stoppers is chosen as the charity of choice, .05 percent of all future purchases will be distributed to the local non-profit which serves Lee, Charlotte, Collier, Hendry and Glades Counties. There is no additional cost to Amazon subscribers to tap into the Amazon Smile program.
The partnership between Crime Stoppers and Amazon comes just days in advance of Amazon’s fourth annual Prime day on Tuesday, July 17th, which is considered by the online shopping service as one of its largest shopping days of the year, offering deeply discounted items and one of a kind products.
“Something as simple as shopping can now make a difference in the safety of your community,” said Trish Routte, Crime Stoppers Coordinator. “All monies generated through Amazon Smile will help fund Crime Stoppers, and ultimately assist in the payment of rewards to residents who call in anonymous tips.”
Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers is asking for the public’s help tracking down a seemingly Good Samaritan, who turned out to be a would-be thief.
On Friday, June 29th, the owner of Biggerstaff Electric, located at 1121 Gretchen Avenue in Lehigh, arrived at his business around 7 a.m., only to find the water system on the side of the building partially dismantled and spraying water. He met with an unknown male, who stated that he drove by the business and saw three males attempting to steal the system. The citizen said he tried to stop the water from spraying out until the business owner arrived. After speaking briefly with the owner, the citizen left the area.
Upon review of surveillance video perched outside the building, it was discovered that the Good Samaritan was actually the lone suspect who brought a satchel full of tools to the business just a few hours earlier, and expeditiously unplugged the system, turned off the valves and started to remove pipes for the system. When he returned a short time later to retrieve the water system, he unexpectedly found the businesses owner outside. It was then that he fabricated the story about the three other suspects, who video proves never existed. The Good Samaritan turned suspect wore the same clothing during the dismantling of the system as he did when he feigned a fake story about the theft in progress.
Anyone with information on the identity and whereabouts of the burglary 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.
Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers is asking for the public’s help identifying and tracking down a suspect who picked locks at Pinchers Crab Shack and took off with a bag full of cash last weekend. And an anonymous donor is adding extra money to the reward fund to help encourage people who have information on the suspect to come forward.
The burglary was noticed early Saturday morning, July 2nd, when managers prepared the restaurant, located at 6890 Estero Boulevard, for the day’s business. An employee noticed that a door to the restaurant, which is always locked, was left partially opened. Upon further investigation, he noticed that the manager’s office was pried open, as was a large steel safe. A review of surveillance video shows an unidentified male jumping over the southwest wall of the business at 3:26 a.m. As the suspect approached the rear of the business, he could be seen grabbing metal tools from his pockets. The suspect quickly managed to pick the lock to the office door and then, subsequently, the businesses safe. Approximately nine minutes later, video images showed him scaling the wall to flee, this time carrying a large bag filled with an undisclosed amount of cash, which included money belonging to the restaurant, as well as tips that were to be given to employees.
The suspect is believed to be between 5’8” and 5’10”, 225 pounds, and wore a mask and a Florida Gators sweatshirt during the theft. 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 from Crime Stoppers and $2,000 from an anonymous donor. Tips may also be made online at www.southwestfloridacrimestoppers.comor by submitting a tip on the P3Tips mobile app.
Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers is asking for the public’s help identifying two individuals suspected of stealing numerous items of clothing from an outlet store in Estero.
According to detectives, two black females, one of whom may actually be a male, walked into the Ralph Lauren Polo store at Miromar Outlets shortly after 5 p.m. on June 11th. Six minutes later, both individuals exited the store with large tote bags. As they walked out, the security alarm was triggered, prompting both individuals to walk quickly away from the area before anyone could catch up with them. When managers reviewed the store’s surveillance video, both suspects were seen loading up their bags with clothing from the store, and several employees even recognized the two from prior thefts at the store.
Anyone with information on the identities and whereabouts of the two unidentified 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.comor by submitting a tip on the P3Tips mobile app.
Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers is asking for the public’s help identifying a suspect who broke into a North Fort Myers clubhouse last month.
Residents at the Buccaneer Mobile Home Park noticed on Saturday, June 2nd that someone had illegally broken into the clubhouse, located at 2210 N. Tamiami Trail, during the overnight hours. A review of surveillance video showed a unknown, barefoot white male prying open the lower lock on the front door shortly after 1 a.m. Once inside, he began to rummage through the kitchen drawers, locked freezers and other locked cabinets. Although it is not believed that the suspect ended up removing any items from the clubhouse, he did damage property during his escapade.
The suspect is a white male, who wore a long sleeved white shirt during the crime. He has numerous tattoos on his arms and legs and wore no shoes during the break-in. 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.
Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers is asking for the public’s help identifying two of three suspects who robbed a Lehigh Acres family at gunpoint this weekend.
Just before 3 a.m. on Saturday, June 16, three masked men, all carrying rifles and pistols, entered a home located at 5330 Beck Street in Lehigh. The men forced the occupants into a room at the rear of the home, where they were held and threatened at gunpoint. After ransacking the home, the men left with cash, electronics, credit cards and personal identification information. They also fled in the resident’s 2018 Camaro, which has since been recovered. Fortunately, no one was injured during the robbery.
This afternoon, detectives released photos of two of the three suspects who they believe are responsible for the weekend robbery. 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.
Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers is asking for the public’s help identifying and tracking down an unknown suspect who held up a South Fort Myers store at gunpoint this afternoon.
The suspect entered the San Carlos Marketplace, located at 18011 S. Tamiami Trail, at 12:43 p.m. He walked around the store until all customers, with the exception of one, left. At that time, the suspect approached the clerk and brandished a firearm, pointing it at the clerk and demanding all the cash in the store. The clerk complied, and the suspect fled the scene in a white four door sedan, possibly a Toyota Camry. He is described as a white male, in his late 20s to early 30s, with a thin build, approximately 160 to 180 pounds. At the time of the robbery, he wore a black baseball cap, black t-shirt, black pants and black shoes with white trim on the bottom.
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 to the P3Tips mobile app.
Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers is asking for the public’s help identifying at least two young men believed to be involved in a series of car burglaries last week.
Between 10 p.m. on Thursday, June 7 and 2:30 a.m. on Friday, June 8, unknown suspects broke into a collection of cars in the area of 6th Street SW, 9th Street SW, 11th Street SW and Olive Avenue S. in Lehigh Acres. In each of the instances, the thieves entered the unlocked cars and scoured the glove compartments. Although some of the vehicles were simply rummaged through, others had cash, phones, jewelry and cameras stolen from them. Each of the break-ins occurred in less than a five hour time span and detectives believe the same set of suspects are responsible for all of the crimes.
Anyone with information on the identities and whereabouts of the suspects responsible for these break-ins 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.
Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers is asking for the public’s help identifying at least two suspects believed to be involved with a string of car burglaries in South Fort Myers over the weekend.
Between June 3 and 4, several vehicle burglaries were reported off Perthshire Lane, located in the area of Island Park Road in South Fort Myers. Each of the vehicles were parked in driveways and all were left unlocked. All of the cars involved were rummaged through, with personal items strewn throughout the vehicles. In one instance, $200 in cash was removed from a glove compartment. Surveillance cameras at one of the victim’s homes captured images of the suspects entering the unlocked cars, and now Crime Stoppers is hopeful that someone will be able to identify them. Detectives believe at least two young men were responsible for the break-ins, however there could be additional suspects, and additional victims who have yet to come forward.
“This is yet another reminder to always lock your car doors at the end of the day,” said Trish Routte, Crime Stoppers Coordinator. “This crime can be prevented so easily with the push of a button. Most times if a thief comes across a locked car, they will quickly move on to the next easiest prey. Protect yourself, protect your valuables and please take that one step to protect your car.”
Anyone with information on the identities of the suspects involved in this weekend’s burglaries 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.
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