Crime & Courts

Fort Myers Police seek clues in shooting

Fort Myers police are investigating the circumstances that led to the shooting death of an 18-year-old Tuesday night.

• Jun. 19, 2013

Deputies: Suspect stole $4,500 in cigarettes from Fort Myers store

Lee County deputies are searching for a man they say broke into a Fort Myers gas station and stole $4,500 worth of cigarettes.

• Jun. 19, 2013

Fort Myers teen killed in shooting

Fort Myers police have identified the man killed in Tuesday night’s shooting as 18-year-old Devin Thorpe.

• Jun. 19, 2013

Photos: Tuesday's felony arrests in Lee County

• Jun. 19, 2013

Cape Coral woman faces drug charges

A Cape Coral woman is facing a slew of charges after police found she had four prescription drugs in her system during a crash that injured five children in the vehicle.

• Jun. 19, 2013

87-year-old North Fort Myers man faces attempted murder charge

An 87-year-old North Fort Myers man is facing an attempted murder charge after deputies said he shot his stepson in the face for being a 'moocher.'

• Jun. 18, 2013

Body found at Port Charlotte scene of house fire, burglary, assault

Investigators this morning found a body in the garage of a burned Port Charlotte home following an armed burglary and aggravated assault.

• Jun. 18, 2013

Traffic stop leads to arrest of America's Most Wanted suspect

Routine traffic stops don't always lead to bigger things, but a Move Over violation led to a high-profile arrest on June 12.

• Jun. 18, 2013

1-year-old baby's death in Cape Coral under investigation

The Department of Children and Families is investigating the case of a 1-year-old boy who was pronounced dead at a hospital after he was found unresponsive in his crib at a Cape Coral home in early June.

• Jun. 18, 2013

Cape Coral police make arrest in DUI injury crash

Five months after a DUI crash that injured five children, Cape Coral police have arrested the impaired driver.

• Jun. 18, 2013

Police arrest Fort Myers lotto thieves

The two women who cooked up a restroom-trashing scheme in order to steal lottery tickets were caught on Monday.

• Jun. 18, 2013

87-year-old man shoots his stepson in the face for being a 'moocher'

A North Fort Myers man is facing an attempted murder charge after deputies say he shot his stepson in the face for being a "moocher."

• Jun. 18, 2013

Port Charlotte woman escapes house fire, suspect on the loose

The Charlotte County Sheriff's Office is searching for Donald Hierspiel. They say he is the man who shot his way into a house on the 700 block of Riviera Lane in Port Charlotte, then set the home on fire.

• Jun. 18, 2013

Lee County arrests 6/16

• Jun. 17, 2013

2 face drug charges after North Fort Myers traffic stop

Two men were arrested this morning during a traffic stop on Interstate 75 in North Fort Myers.

• Jun. 15, 2013

Scott signs bill to reduce death penalty delays

As expected, Gov. Rick Scott on Friday signed the controversial "Timely Justice Act," a measure aimed at reducing delays in carrying out the death penalty in Florida.

• Jun. 15, 2013

Crime Stoppers video: Fuel theft at airport

A bold break in at a private airport near Boca Grande has owners anxious to see a group of criminals held responsible for their actions.

• Jun. 14, 2013

Suspect sought in Bonita Advance Auto Parts robbery

Deputies are searching for a man that robbed an Advance Auto Parts store Thursday night.

• Jun. 14, 2013

Prostitution sting nets 12 in Lee County

Lee County deputies arrested 12 men and women during a countywide prostitution sting.

• Jun. 14, 2013

Ambulance driver cleared in fatal Fort Myers crash

The driver of an ambulance that collided with an SUV, resulting in the death of an unborn baby in February, won’t be charged.

• Jun. 14, 2013

Suspect sought in Bonita Advance Auto Parts robbery

Lee County sheriff's deputies are searching for a man that robbed an Advance Auto Parts store Thursday night.

• Jun. 14, 2013

Highway patrol busts credit card counterfeiters in Lee County

A routine traffic stop on Interstate 75 ended with 49 counterfeit credit cards and three arrests.

• Jun. 14, 2013

911 calls released in May Gateway shooting and hostage situation

The Lee County Sheriff’s Office has released the 911 calls from a May hostage situation that resulted in a man setting his former home on fire before killing himself.

• Jun. 14, 2013

Cars stolen from Kia dealership in Cape Coral, one used in robbery

At least two vehicles were discovered this week to be stolen from Fuccillo Kia of Cape Coral, including one believed to have been used in a Lehigh Acres robbery.

• Jun. 14, 2013

More charges for Cape Coral man accused of beating, kidnapping ex-girlfriend

A Cape Coral man accused of holding his ex-girlfriend hostage and torturing her for several hours Monday night was levied with two more charges this week for allegedly threatening the woman over the phone.

• Jun. 14, 2013

Suspect in Bonita Springs resident's murder nabbed in New York

One of Southwest Florida's most wanted fugitives is behind bars in New York City.

• Jun. 14, 2013

Man shot during Fort Myers robbery

Suspect on loose after holdup at small grocery.

• Jun. 14, 2013

1 injured in Fort Myers store shooting, robbery

Police were combing Fort Myers for a suspect late Thursday after a grocery store customer was shot and injured during a robbery hours earlier.

• Jun. 13, 2013

Lottery ticket thieves sought in Fort Myers

Fort Myers police are seeking two women they say have stolen scratch-off lottery tickets from three different stores.

• Jun. 13, 2013

Suspect in murder of Bonita Springs resident arrested in New York City

One of Southwest Florida’s most wanted fugitives is behind bars in New York City.

• Jun. 13, 2013

Teen suspects in Lehigh Acres robbery fled at speeds of more than 100 mph, crashed into tree

The Lee County Sheriff’s Office said the suspects in a Thursday morning convenience store robbery in Lehigh Acres fled from deputies at speeds faster than 100 mph during the ensuing pursuit.

• Jun. 13, 2013

Error could lead to new trial for Fort Myers man

Defendant was excluded from conference involving his attorney, appeals court says.

• Jun. 13, 2013

Cape Coral man faces multiple charges, including kidnapping

A Cape Coral man is facing battery, assault and kidnapping charges after police said he held his girlfriend hostage for several hours Tuesday.

• Jun. 12, 2013

5 arrested in Lehigh Acres robbery

Lee County sheriff's deputies have arrested five teenagers in connection with a store robbery early this morning.

• Jun. 12, 2013

New Charlotte County Sheriff's patrol car design hits the streets

The first of the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office’s new patrol cars have begun to hit the streets this week with a new look and new features.

• Jun. 12, 2013

Cape Coral man facing battery, assault and kidnapping charges after holding girlfriend hostage

A Cape Coral man is facing battery, assault and kidnapping charges after police said he held his girlfriend hostage for several hours Tuesday. Jason Scott Seaman, 39, remains in custody at the Lee County Jail on two counts of battery by strangulation, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon without intent to kill and kidnapping.

• Jun. 12, 2013

Lee County business owners charged with keeping sales taxes

Two Lee County residents have been arrested on charges of failing to file sales taxes with the state. Sharon A. Wise, 47, a former co-owner of Ellington’s Jazz Club & Restaurant, LLC, located on Sanibel, and Walter E. Slodyczka, the former owner of Bayshore Florist, were arrested Monday.

• Jun. 12, 2013

Murder-suicide stuns family, friends

Maple Avenue South in Lehigh Acres and the surrounding neighborhood were quiet Tuesday. It was a far different scene Monday night and into the early morning when dozens of distraught people took to the streets after learning of an incident that left a woman and her ex-boyfriend dead and the woman’s son injured with a gunshot wound.

• Jun. 12, 2013

During Lehigh standoff, man claims he couldn't speak to brother

A man who said he was the brother of Romie Franklin Jr., who shot and killed himself and a woman Monday night, also said he was denied the chance to speak with his brother by sheriff deputies at the scene.

• Jun. 11, 2013

Victims identified in Lehigh death investigation

Deputies released the identities of both victims in Monday night's death investigation inside a Lehigh home.

• Jun. 11, 2013

Same suspects linked to two recent Lee County crimes

The sharing of intelligence information on recent cases may have formed a link between two recent crimes – and now Crime Stoppers is asking for the public’s help putting names with the faces.

• Jun. 11, 2013