Category Archives: Crime

Justifiable use of deadly force, deputy cleared in fatal shooting

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LEE COUNTY, Fla – No charges will be filed in a deputy involved shooting that occurred in May in Bonita Springs.? The State Attorney’s Office has finished its review of the case and concluded that the shooting was a justifiable use of deadly force.

On Sunday, May 16, 2010, at approximately 10:10 P.M., deputies with the Lee County Sheriff’s Office responded to The Inn at the Springs on Highland Woods Boulevard, Bonita Springs, in reference to a shooting.? When deputies arrived on scene they discovered a male victim suffering from a gunshot wound.? He was transported to a local hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

Due to the nature of the incident, detectives with the Lee County Sheriff’s Office Major?Crimes Unit assumed the investigation.? By speaking with the victim and witnesses on scene, detectives were able to determine the identification of the suspect.? Information obtained through the course of the investigation revealed the suspect may be at a home on? Morton Avenue in Bonita Springs.

Deputies responded to the home to see if the suspect was at the residence.? While investigators were on scene, the suspect approached the residence in his vehicle.? Deputies attempted a traffic stop but the suspect fled, leading to a brief pursuit.? While pursuing the suspect, deputies initiated a PIT maneuver and managed to disable the suspect vehicle.? When deputies approached the vehicle in an attempt to make an arrest, the suspect pulled out a firearm and was fatally wounded by deputies.? No officers were harmed during the incident.

The suspect was later identified as Craig Stephen Spitz.

Justifiable use of deadly force, deputy cleared in fatal shooting

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South Lee County Police Beat: Nov. 15, 2010

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Lee County felony arrests 11-15-2010

Crime Incidents Database with Map

Search by crime, date, neighborhood and day of the week for criminal incidents reported by the Collier County Sheriff’s Office during the first six months of 2009.

LEE COUNTY —
To report a crime or any suspicious activity in your neighborhood, call the Lee County Sheriff’s Office at 477-1000 or you can remain anonymous and call Crime Stoppers at 332-5555 or 1-800-780-TIPS.

? Double trouble: Two vehicles stolen from FGCU assistant athletic director’s driveway

? Former Fort Myers police officer charged with DUI

? House party: Mom arrested for serving booze to minors

? Sinks plugged, water running for nearly week causes thousands in damage to Estero home

? Sinks plugged, water running for nearly week causes thousands in damage to Estero home

DUI arrests

? Cole Michael Lowman, 24, of the 18000 block of Hepatica Road, Fort Myers, was arrested Saturday by Fort Myers police in Lee County.

? Ross Douglas Porter, 42, of the 27000 block of High Seas Lane, Bonita Springs, was arrested Saturday by Lee deputies in Lee County.

? Jesse Dwayne Adams, 49, of the 17000 block of Laurel Valley Road, Fort Myers, was arrested Saturday by Lee deputies near Fountain Lakes Boulevard and Sand Bay Drive in Estero. He was additionally charged with possession of less than 20 grams of marijuana, possession of paraphernalia and refusing to submit to a DUI test.

? Amanda Nicole Olsen, 22, of an unknown street in Naples, was arrested Saturday by Lee deputies near Three Oaks Parkway and Skidmore Way in Estero.

? Daniel Ruiz Perez, 19, of the 3100 block of Santa Barbara Boulevard, Naples, was arrested Saturday by Florida Highway Patrol troopers in Lee County. He was additionally charged with driving without a valid driver’s license and possession of liquor by a person younger than 21 years old.

? Christopher John MacNutt, 39, of the 8000 block of Cypress Drive South, Fort Myers, was arrested Sunday by Lee deputies in Lee County.

? Tomas Gaspar Lopez, 25, of the 27000 block of Leitner Lane, Bonita Springs, was arrested Sunday by Lee deputies in Lee County. He was additionally charged with resisting arrest without violence.

Drug arrests

? Evan M. Wobrock, 20, whose Estero address was not released because he is the stepson of a law enforcement officer, was arrested Friday near U.S. 41 South and Bulb Way in Fort Myers. He was charged with possession of less than 20 grams of marijuana and possession of paraphernalia.

Other arrests

? Gerard T. Tortora, 44, of the 26000 block of Sherwood Lane, Bonita Springs, was arrested Sunday by Lee deputies in Lee County. He was charged with violation of an order for protection.

Criminal mischief

? An estimated $200 in damage to a window was reported Saturday in the 10000 block of West Terry Street in Bonita Springs.

? An estimated $200 in damage to the paint of a duplex was reported Saturday in the 7100 block of Albany Road in Fort Myers.

Police Beat is compiled and written by the Bonita Daily News staff from oral and written reports by the Lee County Sheriff’s Office and other agencies. Arrests indicate suspicion of crime, not guilt.

? 2010 Naples Daily News. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

South Lee County Police Beat: Nov. 15, 2010

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‘Operation Medicine Cabinet’ this weekend

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LEE COUNTY, Fla. – It’s time to gather up all of your unused or expired medication. The Lee County Sheriff’s Office is partnering with Florida Crime Prevention Association for “Operation Medicine Cabinet”, the latest installment of the Pharmaceutical Take Back Program. Three locations will be available to drop off your old, unused prescription and over the counter medications for proper disposal. Needles and other sharp objects cannot be accepted.

The following locations will accept your old medications on Saturday, November 13 from 10:00 am until 2:00 pm:

1) Coconut Point Mall in Estero in front of Hollywood Theaters (U.S. 41 between Corkscrew Road and Coconut Road).

2) Wal Mart Supercenter, 1619 Del Prado Blvd, Cape Coral.

3) Winn-Dixie, Sunshine Plaza, 1145 Homestead Rd North, Lehigh Acres.

Every day in the United States approximately 2,500 youths between the ages of 12 and 17 abuse prescription drugs for the first time. The Lee County Sheriff’s Office is taking a proactive stance in removing and properly disposing of unused medications. This can keep them from falling into the wrong hands and also prevent the drugs from being flushed down the toilet which poses an environmental danger.

Back in February, the Lee County Sheriff’s Office hosted a Prescription Clean-Out with the City of Bonita Springs which resulted in nearly 50,000 prescription and over the counter pills and liquids being turned in for proper disposal.

There is no cost to turn in your medications and all participants will remain anonymous.

‘Operation Medicine Cabinet’ this weekend

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40+ shots fired at Charlotte County bar

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CHARLOTTE COUNTY, Fla. – Charlotte County Sheriff’s detectives are investigating a shooting incident at 2 a.m. last Saturday at Coyote’s Bar & Grill in School House Square, 4300 Kings Hwy, Port Charlotte.

Deputies said there was a disturbance in the bar at closing that carried over into the parking lot and when they arrived they said numerous patrons were lying on the ground, but there were no injuries. Deputies located 42 shell casing of three different calibers in the parking lot. An armed bouncer at the club reportedly fired one shot at the fleeing tan Chevrolet Suburban that is believed to have hit its windshield. Witnesses said there were three black male subjects in the truck that fled the parking lot.

Detectives continue their investigation. If anyone has information about this shooting incident is asked to please call the CCSO at 941-639-2101, or Crime Stoppers at 800-780-TIPS (8477).

40+ shots fired at Charlotte County bar

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Police Beat: Nov. 4, 2010

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Collier County arrests 11-04-2010

Lee County felony arrests 11-04-2010

To report a crime or suspicious activity in your neighborhood, call the Naples Police and Fire Department at 213-4844, the Collier County Sheriff’s Office at 774-4434, the Lee County Sheriff’s Office 239-477-1000 or the Marco Island Police Department at 389-5050.

? Following complaint from ex-boyfriend, woman charged with assaulting officer

? Deputies: driver arrested after causing accident, airbags deploying

Domestic assault arrests

? ?Juan Jose Flores, 30, of 5490 16th Place S.W., No. 306, Golden Gate, was arrested by Collier deputies Wednesday at 1425 Limpkin Road. He was charged with kicking his pregnant girlfriend in the head, and slapping her face.

? ?Iris Yanira Irazarry Conde, 35, of 4245 30th Ave. S.E., Golden Gate Estates, was arrested by Collier deputies Tuesday at her home. She was charged with repeatedly throwing water on her husband of 17 years during an argument.

? Eugenio Martinez, 40, of 205 Sixth St. N., Immokalee, was arrested by Collier deputies Tuesday at 200 S. Third St. He was charged with grabbing his girlfriend by the hair and repeatedly punching her in the face. He was also charged with grand theft and obstruction of justice after his girlfriend told deputies he took her phone when she tried to call 911.

Grand theft arrest

? Maria C. Cardentey, 54, of 2975 43rd Ave. N.E., Golden Gate Estates, was arrested by Collier deputies Wednesday at 3301 Tamiami Trail E., the Naples Jail Center.

She was charged with the theft of $316 worth of clothing from Kohl’s department store.

? Luis Arturo Vargas Olmeda, 39, of the 15000 block of Belamar Circle, Fort Myers, was arrested Wednesday by Lee deputies at home. He was arrested on warrants charging him with illegal use of credit cards, grand theft and use of a person’s identification without permission.

Robbery arrest

? Anthony McGee, 33, of 501 Doak Ave., Immokalee, was arrested Tuesday by Collier deputies in the 100 block of West Delaware St. He was charged with unarmed robbery after another man told deputies McGee threw him to the ground and stole his wallet, and was also charged with possession of cocaine and drug paraphernalia.

DUI arrest

? Eric Brian Green, 36, of 964 Hampton Circle, East Naples, was arrested Wednesday by Collier deputies at the intersection of County Road 846 and The Lane.

Drug arrest

? Silvano Corrales, 35, who was identified as homeless, was arrested by Collier deputies Tuesday at 208 W. Main St. He was charged with possession of cocaine and with having an open container of alcohol in a public area.

Other arrest

? Lance Einar Ek, 39, of the 27000 block of Old Seaboard Road, Bonita Springs, was arrested Wednesday by Lee deputies in Lee County. He was charged with being a sex offender who failed to report a name or address change.

Click here to view the Collier County Sheriff’s Office’s Cold Case Facebook page

Police Beat is compiled and written by the Naples Daily News staff/ contributors from oral and written reports by Naples police, Collier Sheriff‘s Office, Lee County Sheriff’s Office, Marco police and other agencies. Arrests indicate suspicion of crime, not guilt.

? 2010 Naples Daily News. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Police Beat: Nov. 4, 2010

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Fort Myers shooting victim dies

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FORT MYERS, Fla. -??At approximately 6 p.m. Saturday night,?the Fort Myers Police Department responded to a shooting that occurred in the 2100 block of South Street.? According to witnesses, James Timothy Fields Jr., was walking down the street when shots were fired from a blue car.? He was transported to Lee Memorial Hospital in critical condition.?He later died as a result of his injuries.?

Anyone with information is asked to call FMPD at 321-7700, Crime Stoppers at 1-800-780-TIPS or text message C-R-I-M-E-S (274637) Keyword FMPD.? Tipsters can remain anonymous. Updates will be issued via email.

Fort Myers shooting victim dies

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Friend defends Lehigh man accused of exploiting teen

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LEHIGH ACRES, Fla. – A close friend is defending a Lehigh Acres man charged with sex crimes.

Investigators say Douglas Boone, 48, posed as his own nephew to exploit a 13 year-old girl on the internet.? However, his friend says the teen is to blame.

“He is a kind and decent human being,” said the woman, who did not want to be identified.

She says Boone is not a monster.
?? ?
The 48 year old was arrested last week.? Investigators say he posed as a 17 year old, and persuaded a 13 year old Massachusetts girl to make explicit videos, that he later shared online. ?

She says Boone met the redhead in an adult chat room, and she led him to believe she was over 18.? The girl later admitted to authorities she lied.

“They were seriously like, hours upon hours upon hours would be wasted with the 2 of them either Skyping online with one another, or if he was out and about, there were always text messages that came from her. She did the majority of texting,” she said.
??? ?
She says the teen was well-aware Boone was not 17.? She says the two chatted face to face, and that was the extent of their relationship.

“He was about fantasy, it wasn’t about reality, it wasn’t about saying, ‘I am going to buy this girl a plane ticket and fly her down to Florida.’? He never met these girls in person.”
??? ?
She says Boone sent the girl sex toys, and the girl bought herself gifts like makeup and hair extensions with his credit card.? The whole thing ended when the teen’s mother walked in on a chat session.
??? ?
Weeks later, investigators were at his door.

“I think he was in the wrong place at the wrong time and it just spun from there, out of control from there,” the woman said.

Friend defends Lehigh man accused of exploiting teen

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Friend defends Lehigh man accused of exploiting teen

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LEHIGH ACRES, Fla. – A close friend is defending a Lehigh Acres man charged with sex crimes.

Investigators say Douglas Boone, 48, posed as his own nephew to exploit a 13 year-old girl on the internet.? However, his friend says the teen is to blame.

“He is a kind and decent human being,” said the woman, who did not want to be identified.

She says Boone is not a monster.
?? ?
The 48 year old was arrested last week.? Investigators say he posed as a 17 year old, and persuaded a 13 year old Massachusetts girl to make explicit videos, that he later shared online. ?

She says Boone met the redhead in an adult chat room, and she led him to believe she was over 18.? The girl later admitted to authorities she lied.

“They were seriously like, hours upon hours upon hours would be wasted with the 2 of them either Skyping online with one another, or if he was out and about, there were always text messages that came from her. She did the majority of texting,” she said.
??? ?
She says the teen was well-aware Boone was not 17.? She says the two chatted face to face, and that was the extent of their relationship.

“He was about fantasy, it wasn’t about reality, it wasn’t about saying, ‘I am going to buy this girl a plane ticket and fly her down to Florida.’? He never met these girls in person.”
??? ?
She says Boone sent the girl sex toys, and the girl bought herself gifts like makeup and hair extensions with his credit card.? The whole thing ended when the teen’s mother walked in on a chat session.
??? ?
Weeks later, investigators were at his door.

“I think he was in the wrong place at the wrong time and it just spun from there, out of control from there,” the woman said.

Friend defends Lehigh man accused of exploiting teen

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South Lee Police Beat: Oct 22, 2010

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Lee County felony arrests 10-22-10

To report a crime or suspicious activity in your neighborhood, call the Naples Police and Fire Department at 213-4844, the Collier County Sheriff’s Office at 774-4434, the Lee County Sheriff’s Office 239-477-1000 or the Marco Island Police Department at 389-5050.

? Teacher at Bonita autism school believes she was swindled

? 19-year-old Bonita Springs man charged with raping young girl

? Girl, 3, in critical condition after falling into pool

DUI arrests

? Kyle Lee Hodges, 18, of the 28000 block of Meadowlark Lane, Bonita Springs, was arrested Thursday by Lee deputies near the Sheriff’s Office Bonita Springs Substation, 8951 Bonita Beach Road. He was additionally charged with driving while license suspended. He is accused of hitting a car while intoxicated.

Battery arrests

? Julio Juan Andres, 23, who is listed under two addresses: the 26000 block of Sherwood Lane and the 26000 block of Horne Avenue, both in Bonita Springs, was arrested Thursday by Lee deputies in Lee County. He was charged with battery.

Police Beat is compiled and written by the Naples Daily News staff/ contributors from oral and written reports by Naples police, Collier Sheriff‘s Office, Lee County Sheriff’s Office, Marco police and other agencies. Arrests indicate suspicion of crime, not guilt.

? 2010 Naples Daily News. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

South Lee Police Beat: Oct 22, 2010

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Charlotte County deputies investigate attempted burglary of Salvation Army, theft of copper

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CHARLOTTE COUNTY, Fla. – Charlotte County Sheriff’s detectives are investigating $4,200 in damages to the Salvation Army Thrift Store at 2735 Tamiami Tr., Port Charlotte, and theft of the air conditioners copper wiring.

CCSO received the call Wednesday that someone attempted to get into the building and did extensive damages to an exterior wall, and also damaged a shed on the property in an attempt to gain entry. The air conditioner unit outside the Salvation Army was dismantled and the copper inside was removed.

Crime Scene responded and found fingerprints on the a/c unit lid, and shoe prints in the area which were submitted for evidence. If anyone has information about this case, please call the CCSO at 941-639-2101, or Crime Stoppers at 800-780-TIPS (8477).

Charlotte County deputies investigate attempted burglary of Salvation Army, theft of copper

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