Teen charged with multiple car burglaries in Bonita
On February 19, 2011, deputies with the Lee County Sheriff’s Office responded to the areas of Citadel Lane and the Comfort Inn Motel, located at 9800 Bonita Beach Road, in reference to several vehicle burglaries in the vicinity. Due to the nature of the incident, detectives assigned to the Delta (South) District Criminal Investigations Division assumed the investigation.
Detectives learned a total of nine vehicle break-ins had occurred. In each of the incidents there were no signs of forced entry. Stolen items included GPS units and small electronics, as well as several other miscellaneous items. While gathering evidence and canvassing the area of the crime scene, deputies encountered a man named Ruben Eduardo Torres (DOB 9/8/94). Torres couldn’t provide any explanation as to why he was in the area. Deputies questioned him about the burglaries, but did not charge him. He was then driven home by deputies and his parents were notified of Torres’ suspicious behavior.
Prior to questioning Torres, a discarded backpack was located nearby. The backpack contained several items stolen from the burglarized vehicles. Deputies also found a pack of cigarettes in the backpack and were able to pull a fingerprint from it. The print was turned over to the Lee County Sheriff’s Office Forensics Division and was matched to prints on record belonging to Torres.
On Thursday, March 10, 2011, deputies arrested Torres as a result of physical evidence linking him to the crime, along with information obtained during the course of the investigation. He has been charged with seven of the nine vehicle burglaries. His charges include seven counts of Burglary to a Conveyance, four counts of Grand Theft and three counts of Petit Theft.
His booking photo and additional information will be available upon booking. Torres’ last known address is 26592 Saville Avenue, Bonita Springs.
The incident remains under investigation.