LCSO reports fingerprints lead detectives to robber
A Bonita Springs robber may have gotten away with the loot, but he left something important behind. His fingerprints.
On July 9, 2011 at 2:52 pm, deputies were called to Dixie Groceries, located at 9080 Bonita Beach Road, Bonita Springs. Upon arrival, deputies met with the cashier who said while she was cashing out, an unknown white male suddenly reached forward and pushed her away from the cash register. The unknown male then reached into the cash register drawer and grabbed an undisclosed amount of money before running out of the store on foot.
Deputies established a perimeter and brought in K-9 Units, but the search met with negative results.
Crime Scene technicians responded and lifted fingerprints from the crime scene area. The prints were examined by the Lee County Sheriff’s Office Forensics Unit and on July 21, 2011 a positive hit came back. The print was that of Stephen Matthews, DOB 10-31-80. Based on that information, detectives met again with the victim and showed her a photo lineup. Without hesitation, the victim identified Matthews as the robber.
Armed with probable cause, detectives located Matthews at a residence on South View Road in Bonita Springs. This is the location where the K-9 track ended during the original search.
Arrested: Stephen Matthews, DOB 10-31-80, of 28130 Dovewood Court, Bonita Springs, charged with Robbery.