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.
Duo makes quick dash after outlet store theft
July 04, 2018
STATUS: OPENSouthwest 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.
Barefoot bandit sought for clubhouse break-in
July 03, 2018
STATUS: OPENSouthwest 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.
Suspects sought in weekend home invasion robbery
June 18, 2018
STATUS: OPENSouthwest 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.
Suspect sought in afternoon armed robbery
June 14, 2018
STATUS: OPENSouthwest 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.
Car burglars target Lehigh neighborhood
June 14, 2018
STATUS: OPENSouthwest 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.
Car burglars caught on camera
June 05, 2018
STATUS: OPENSouthwest 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.
Early morning armed robber at large
May 31, 2018
STATUS: OPENSouthwest Florida Crime Stoppers is asking for the public’s help identifying and tracking down the man who held up a Lehigh Acres convenience store at gunpoint early this morning.
Around 3 a.m., the gunman walked into the 7-Eleven, located at 4325 Lee Boulevard. The suspect demanded all the cash from the register, while brandishing a small caliber chrome semi-automatic gun. Once he was given the money, the suspect fled on foot heading west towards Gunnery Road. He is described as a black male, 5’10” and approximately 20 years old, who wore a white and black motorcycle mask with teeth printed over the nose and mouth area, and gloves which were yellow on the back and red inside the palm area. Detectives say the suspect should be considered armed and dangerous.
Anyone with information on the suspect or his current whereabouts 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 sought in Punta Gorda
May 30, 2018
STATUS: OPENSouthwest Florida Crime Stoppers is asking for the public’s help identifying and tracking down an unknown suspect who robbed a Punta Gorda bank this afternoon.
At approximately 2:17 p.m. on May 30th, the suspect entered the BB&T Bank, located at 2390 Tamiami Trail. The suspect implied to the teller that he was armed, and demanded all the cash from the register. Upon receiving an undisclosed amount of cash, he fled across the front of the bank on foot in an unknown direction. He is described as a white male in his late 40s or early 50s, and wore a tan ball cap, blue short sleeved shirt, blue jean shorts and sandals during the robbery.
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.
Suspects sought in grand theft
May 30, 2018
STATUS: OPENSouthwest Florida Crime Stoppers is asking for the public’s help identifying two men suspected in a grand theft that occurred at a North Fort Myers gas station.
The victim pulled up to the Sunoco gas station, located at 19451 SR 31, around 11 a.m. on Sunday, May 20th. After removing a briefcase from the car to retrieve one of his credit cards, the victim proceeded to pump gas while talking on the phone. The man apparently became distracted and accidentally left the briefcase next to the pump as he pulled away. Surveillance video showed at least two white males in a white Ford F150 pick up parked nearby. Once the victim cleared the area, the men grabbed the suitcase filled with nearly $3,500 in money and items and fled in an unknown direction. Some of the items taken during the theft include an Apple laptop computer, ear pods, several credit cards, and $500 in cash.
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 $3,000. Tips may also be made online at www.southwestfloridacrimestoppers.com or by submitting a tip on the P3tips mobile app.
Suspect sought after robbing senior citizen
May 13, 2018
STATUS: ARRESTED
** UPDATE #1 **
The woman suspected of robbing a senior citizen at a North Fort Myers gas station on Thursday night is now in law enforcement’s custody.
Earlier this afternoon, detectives arrested Jeannettte Harned (DOB 4/27/67) and charged her with robbery by sudden snatching and possession of cocaine. Harned is a repeat offender and a criminal registrant with a lengthy history of theft, dealing in stolen property and numerous probation violations.
She is currently being held in the Lee County Jail.
ORIGINAL PRESS RELEASE: MAY 11, 2018
Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers is asking for the public’s help identifying and tracking down a woman who boldly robbed a senior citizen of his cash at a North Fort Myers gas station last night.
Shortly after 9:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 10, the 80 year old victim walked into Love’s Travel Stop, located at 17308 Park 78 Drive, with the suspect following close behind. She waited for the man to pay the cashier, then followed him back to his car. While the man was pumping gas, the suspect physically went into the pockets of the man’s pants and removed all of his cash. The woman then ran across the parking lot, and although the victim attempted to catch up with her, she quickly left the area in a black pick-up truck.
The suspect is described as a white female, in her 40s, approximately 5’2” and 110 pounds. Anyone with information on the identity and whereabouts of the female felon 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.
Crime Stoppers triples maximum reward amounts
May 11, 2018
In an effort to encourage more anonymous tips on unsolved cases and wanted fugitives, Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers has made a jump in the maximum reward it can provide for information that leads to an arrest.
Effective immediately, rewards will increase from up to $1,000 to a cap of up to $3,000. The maximum amount given would typically be for information leading to an arrest in a homicide case, however the increased reward could impact other tips, as well.
“While we hope that tipsters are providing information because it’s just the right thing to do, we understand that money is a motivating factor,” said Trish Routte, Crime Stoppers Coordinator. “By tripling the maximum reward we can provide, we hope that will motivate certain individuals who have information on violent crimes to come forward, still with the cloak of anonymity.”
The Board of Directors for Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers approved the increase unanimously during its monthly board meeting on Thursday.
Tips needed to ID robbery suspects
May 04, 2018
Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers is asking for the public’s help identifying and tracking down two unknown suspects who robbed a man in Lee County last Friday night.
The victim left Bruno’s Market, located at 15600 McGregor Boulevard, around 8:30 p.m. on Friday, April 27th. As he was walking towards a friends house, a black male approached the victim and struck him in the face. As the victim was starting to recover from the unexpected strike, a second male walked up and hit the victim in the back of the head. The men then started grabbing at the victim’s pockets and demanded all the money and items he had on him. The suspects proceeded to reach into the victim’s front pocket, and grabbed his money clip containing $159.00 in cash, then fled the area. Both suspects were heard laughing and joking about the robbery as they slowly jogged away.
Surveillance video shows the two suspects pulling up to the store shortly before the robbery. The first suspect is a black male, approximately 5’8”, 200 pounds, and wore a do rag, a black long sleeved t-shirt and black pants with expensive white and silver high top sneakers. The second suspect is approximately 6’0” tall, with long dreadlocks tied in a knot on the top of his head. The men were seen leaving the area in a dark colored Chevrolet sedan.
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.
Armed duo robs Lee County bank
April 30, 2018
STATUS: OPENSouthwest Florida Crime Stoppers is asking for the public’s help tracking down two men who held up a Lee County bank at gunpoint this morning.
At 10:02 this morning, two men entered the Capital Bank, located at 12205 Metro Parkway. Both suspects immediately jumped the counter and, while displaying semiautomatic firearms, physically removed all the money from the drawer. After getting an undisclosed amount of cash placed into a dark colored sack, the men fled the area in a small white SUV, which was found shortly thereafter along Plantation Road.
The suspects were black males who were wearing tan pants, black sweaters or sweatshirts, ski masks, white gloves and blue high top sneakers. They are between 5’8” and 5”10”, 180 pounds and both in their early to mid-twenties.
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.
Car burglars target Stoneybrook subdivision
April 30, 2018
STATUS: OPENSouthwest Florida Crime Stoppers is asking for the public’s help identifying two young men believed to be involved with a string of car burglaries in the Stoneybrook community of Lee County over the last two weeks. One of the victims home surveillance system captured images of the young men going from car to car in an attempt to gain access. Locked cars were quickly dismissed, while unlocked cars provided opportunities for the suspects to steal cash and electronics. In a similar car burglary last week, in that same community, a gun was stolen from one of the unlocked cars.
“Car burglaries are crimes of opportunity and drivers make it very easy for the bad guys to commit these crimes when they leave their doors unlocked,” said Trish Routte, Crime Stoppers Coordinator. “No matter how safe we think our neighborhoods are, it’s always best to err on the side of caution and ensure that all valuables are brought into the house at the end of the day and that all car doors are locked and secure.”
Anyone with information on the suspects involved in these car 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 $1,000. Tips may also be made online at www.southwestfloridacrimestoppers.com or by submitting a tip on the P3tips mobile app.
Note: The video link for the surveillance video of the suspects is provided below.
Suspect sought in Sunday morning robbery
April 29, 2018
Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers is asking for the public’s help identifying and tracking down an unknown suspect who robbed a Lee County convenience store this morning.
Just after 9:40 a.m. today, an unidentified male walked into the 7-Eleven convenience store, located at 8100 College Parkway. The man handed the clerk a note demanding all the cash in the register, as well as money orders. The victim complied, and the suspect fled the store on foot, headed towards Whiskey Creek Drive.
He is a white male, approximately 6’0”, thin build, possibly in his mid to late 20s. Anyone with information on the identity and whereabouts of the robbery 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.
Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers honored with regional awards
April 20, 2018
Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers brought home three prestigious awards after attending the 37th annual Southeastern Crime Stoppers Association training conference in Atlanta, GA this week. For the 13th consecutive year, Crime Stoppers was named as the Most Productive Program in the Southeastern United States. This award recognizes the number of tips received over the course of 2017, the number of arrests, cases cleared, as well as the amount of narcotics and property seized from criminals as a direct result of anonymous tips. Also on the awards tally is recognition for the 2017 Advertisement of the Year for a public service announcement created with local School Resource Officers called “Tap the App,” which encouraged students to report crimes and suspicious activity in their schools through a free, mobile app. JoAnn Beaumont, Secretary for Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers, was honored with the inaugural Freddi Moody Memorial Award from Anderson Software, which honors a Crime Stoppers volunteer who embodies extraordinary dedication to the non-profit organization. In addition to the awards, Coordinator Trish Routte was elected as President of the Southeastern Crime Stoppers Association, and is the first person from Southwest Florida to ever be elected to that position.
“The success of our program is a direct result of the community’s willingness to step up to the plate and provide us with critical information that parlays into arrests,” said Trish Routte, Crime Stoppers Coordinator. “Crime Stoppers always has, and always will, be dedicated to serving our community and working in partnership with the public and law enforcement to make Southwest Florida a safer place to live for all of us.”
Suspect clears shelves and steals razor refills
April 12, 2018
STATUS: OPENSouthwest Florida Crime Stoppers is asking for the public’s help identifying a man who stole more than $500 in razor blade refills from a Lee County store earlier this week.
On Tuesday, April 10th, an unknown black male entered the Publix store, located at 11851 Palm Beach Boulevard around 9:30 a.m. Surveillance video captured images of him pulling multiple razor refills off the shelves and place them into a green basket. The suspect then walked to the frozen food section, where he placed all of the cartridges into the pockets of his shorts. Minutes later, he left the store without stopping to pay for any of the items.
The suspect is described as 5’10”, 180 pounds, wearing a blue shirt, tan cargo shorts and flip flops. 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.
Robber dashes after stealing lotto tickets and cash
April 10, 2018
STATUS: OPENSouthwest Florida Crime Stoppers is asking for the public’s help identifying and tracking down a white male who robbed a 7-Eleven convenience store in Bonita Springs early this morning.
Just before 5 a.m., the suspect entered the 7-Eleven, located at 12661 Bonita Beach Road. He immediately went behind the counter and started grabbing lottery tickets. The suspect then turned to the store employee and demanded cash from the register. The clerk complied and, after receiving an undisclosed amount of cash, the suspect fled the area in a light colored SUV. He is described as a white male, approximately 5’8”, 140 pounds, in his late to mid 20s. The suspect was not armed during this morning’s robbery.
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.
Knife wielding masked suspect robs Lee convenience store
March 22, 2018
STATUS: OPENSouthwest Florida Crime Stoppers is asking for the public’s help identifying an unknown suspect who robbed a College Parkway convenience store early this morning.
Just before 3 a.m., a black male, wearing a Spiderman-type mask, entered the 7-Eleven store, located at 8100 College Parkway. While brandishing a silver knife, the suspect demanded all the money from both of the registers. Once the clerk complied, the suspect ordered the woman to open up the front door for him, at which point he fled on foot in an unknown direction.
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.
Late night armed suspect robs Lehigh store
March 19, 2018
STATUS: OPENSouthwest Florida Crime Stoppers is asking for the public’s help identifying an unknown black male who robbed a Lehigh Dollar General late last night.
Just after 10:30 p.m., the suspect walked into the Dollar General, located at 701 Gretchen Ave. S., and grabbed the cash drawer. As the man was walking towards the front door, he grabbed a black pistol from his waistband, making it clear to the store employee that he was armed. After seeing the gun, the employee halted his pursuit of the man, who fled the area in an unknown direction.
The suspect was wearing a black hoodie, black pants and a black hat at the time of the robbery. Anyone with information on the identity or 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.
| Page 9 of 10 | 199 Records | Prev | Next |