LEE COUNTY, Fla. -- Investigators say numerous car burglaries have been taking place in Lehigh Acres since Christmas, and have released images of people they believe are the primary suspects.
According to Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers, 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 on December 26.
Detectives believe the same suspects 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.
This week, 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.
Anyone with information on the identity and whereabouts of the suspects seen in these images 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.
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.
