UPDATE Aug. 13:
A Fort Myers man faces multiple charges after a series of thefts at a local Walmart and a violent confrontation over a stolen e-bike.
Derek Kennedy was arrested on Aug. 12 after deputies connected him to several incidents, including armed robbery and theft.
Deputies responded to Tamiami Trail at the La Frontera store after a victim reported their e-bike stolen while they were inside.
A deputy went to the victim's home to get the serial number. When the victim headed back to La Frontera, deputies say he took a different route to see if he and his friend could find the bike.
The victim says while driving, they recognized his stolen e-bike outside a home on Coolridge Road by the lock on it. A man was seen painting the bike, the victim said.
Both victims said the male observed them in the vehicle and got on the bike, and started to ride off.
The victims eventually found the suspect on Tamiami Trail and Sanibel Boulevard. According to a report obtained by Fox 4, they drove on the sidewalk behind the bike, opened the passenger side door and attempted to stop the man, also identified as Kennedy.
They eventually stopped him, causing him to fall to the ground. During the ensuing scuffle, deputies say Kennedy pulled out a multi-tool and cut one victim in the pelvic area, stomach, and arm.
The suspect also tried to hit the other victim before running across the street. Deputies eventually arrested Kennedy at 18552 Marco Boulevard.
The e-bike was recovered and returned to its owner.
However, Kennedy is facing several other charges connected to separate crimes.
On Aug. 2, deputies responded to the Walmart on 19975 Tamiami Trail for a theft report. An employee said a man, later identified as Kennedy, took sunglasses and a backpack from the store.
When confronted by asset protection personnel, Kennedy claimed he had a knife. The employee says they observed an orange folding knife in Kennedy's hand, prompting them to back away.
This wasn't Kennedy's first encounter with law enforcement at this Walmart. On May 25, deputies responded to the same location for a similar crime where deputies say Kennedy took two speakers.
When loss prevention confronted him, Kennedy pushed the employee away and hit them in the chest before fleeing on a bicycle that was lying on the sidewalk.
The day before that incident, Kennedy had entered the store with a reusable shopping bag and took several items including gorilla tape, a bike basket, and work boots, which he put on while in the shoe section.
Deputies attempted to locate Kennedy at his last known address on June 13, but no one answered the door. A warrant was issued for grand theft and battery.
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ORIGINAL STORY:
The Lee County Sheriff's Office is investigating an aggravated battery case in San Carlos Park.
According to LCSO, the Violent Crimes Unit is at the scene on Sanibel Boulevard and Tamiami Trail.
Fox 4 Photojournalist Andy Cunningham is there and says crime scene tape is wrapped around a bicycle, along with a vehicle.
"All parties are accounted for and there is no threat to the public," the sheriff's office told Fox 4.
We are waiting for more details and will provide an update when more information becomes available.
