LCSO reports robbery suspect apprehended after I-75 pursuit
On Sunday, Jan. 29, 2012 at 8:39 a.m., deputies with the Lee County Sheriff’s Office responded to a robbery at the Mobil Mart, 5179 Palm Beach Boulevard, Fort Myers. The suspect displayed a firearm and took an undisclosed amount of money and the keys to a vehicle belonging to a clerk in the store. The suspect then left the scene in the clerk’s vehicle. There were no injuries during the incident.
Responding deputies alerted the LCSO Communications Division who issued a B.O.L.O. (Be on the lookout) alert to all agencies in the surrounding area. Just after 9:00 a.m., the vehicle was located driving northbound on I-75 by the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office. After a brief pursuit the vehicle crashed and caught on fire. The suspect fled and ran into a drainage culvert. He later surrendered and was taken to a local hospital for medical clearance.
Deputies discovered the suspect left an inoperable vehicle that had been reported stolen out Hillsborough County, Florida at the Mobil Mart before committing the robbery and grand theft auto.
The suspect is facing charges in Charlotte County and will be facing charges of robbery with a firearm, carjacking and grand theft auto in Lee County. The identity of the suspect has not been released at this time.