Four teens charged in home invasion robberies; police searching for fifth suspect
Four teenagers have been arrested following what police are calling a “violent and brazen crime spree” that began early Saturday morning in North Fort Myers.
The teens now face charges including home invasion robbery, carjacking, kidnapping and battery. Police are seeking a fifth suspect who reportedly fled from deputies.
Dayna Mitchell, 18, of 936 Lakeview Drive, North Fort Myers, has been charged with Home Invasion Robbery with a Firearm (two counts); False Imprisonment; Kidnapping; Battery on Person 65 Years of Age or Older; Battery Touch or Strike (two counts); Shooting into an Occupied Dwelling; Carjacking with Firearm or Weapon; Resist Officer-Obstruction without Violence; Marijuana Possession.
Cody Williams, 17, of 8179 Heck Drive, North Fort Myers, has been charged with Home Invasion Robbery with Firearm (two counts); False Imprisonment; Battery on Person 65 Years of Age or Older; Battery Touch or Strike (two counts); Shooting into an Occupied Dwelling.
Matthew Bowling , 16, of 2136 Tucker Lane, North Fort Myers, has been charged with Home Invasion Robbery with Firearm (two counts); False Imprisonment; Battery on Person 65 Years of Age or Older; Battery Touch or Strike (two counts); Shooting into an Occupied Dwelling.
Cameron Girard, 16, of 7735 Suncoast Drive, North Fort Myers, has been charged with Home Invasion Robbery with Firearm (two counts); False Imprisonment; Battery on Person 65 Years of Age or Older; Battery Touch or Strike (two counts); Shooting into an Occupied Dwelling.
Damien Licquia, 17, is still at large.
“Upon arrest, Licquia will be charged with Home Invasion Robbery with a Firearm (two counts); False Imprisonment; Kidnapping; Battery on Person 65 Years of Age or Older; Battery Touch or Strike (two counts); Shooting into an Occupied Dwelling; Carjacking with Firearm or Weapon,” officials said in a Lee County Sheriff’s Office release issued Tuesday.
Sexual battery charges are pending. As the investigation continues, officials did not say whom among the suspects may be facing the additional charge.
The investigation began at approximately 3:30 a.m. Saturday when deputies were called to a mobile home in Suncoast Estates.
“The male victim explained he was sleeping on the couch when four male suspects entered the residence, threw him to the floor and began punching and kicking him in the face,” officials said. “One of the subjects removed the victim’s credit cards and money from his wallet. The female victim says she was sleeping on the bed when she woke up to loud noises. The suspects entered her bedroom and began to kick and punch her. There is also evidence the female victim was sexually battered during the incident. She stated that one suspect had a knife and another had a firearm. The subject with the firearm discharged it into the residence.”
Both victims were transported to the hospital for treatment.
A similar incident followed at 8315 Tolles Drive.
“The victim says he was sleeping on his couch when he was struck on the head with an object. He awoke to find four males and a female subject standing above him. The subjects moved the victim to a chair in the kitchen where they duct taped his hands. Eventually one of the subjects picked up a fire extinguisher and discharged it in the house. At this point, the victim was able to escape the house,” according to the release.
As deputies were responding to the second home invasion, they located and detained three males who were believed to be fleeing from the scene.
“The victim was able to positively identify Matthew Bowling, Cody Williams and Cameron Girard as the three that battered and tied him up,” officials said.
From the scene of the second home invasion, deputies located items taken from both crime scenes, officials said.
As the investigation continued, detectives received information that three males and a female had attempted to use a stolen debit card at a Circle K on Laurel Lane.
“Upon viewing the surveillance video, detectives were able to identify Dayna Mitchell and Damien Licquia as suspects,” officials said.
On Sunday morning, deputies were dispatched to a suspicious vehicle at 1741 Case Lane in North Fort Myers. When deputies arrived, they observed two people flee from the vehicle.
The female was apprehended and identified as Dayna Mitchell. The male, identified as Damien Licquia, fled into the surrounding wooded area.
“As deputies approached the vehicle they discovered the registered owner of the vehicle tied up inside,” officials said. “The victim explained that she had given the two suspects a ride and that during the ride Licquia had brandished a knife and put it to her throat, demanding that she pull over. The victim pulled over and was tied up by Licquia and Mitchell. The victim was driven around North Fort Myers for the entire night as the suspects attempted to use the victim’s debit card. Eventually the suspects met an individual on Case Lane who reported the suspicious incident.”
Source: Lee County Sheriff’s Office