Two teens arrested following a rash of break-ins, burglaries
In recent weeks, several island businesses have been the target of attempted break-ins. Most recently the businesses were located in the Subway plaza at the island center.
Among the businesses with physical signs of the break-in attempts were Pine Island Barber Shop, Tropical Hair Gallery, Island Taylor, I AM Institute, MPI Properties and Pine Island Cycles and Sutton and Associates Insurance.
According to the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, two juveniles, Timothy Colin Hill, 13, and Justin Allan Ens, 16, both residents of Bokeelia, have been charged with 13 counts burglary and petty theft.
The families of the boys could not be reached for comment.
According to a statement given to the Lee County, the owner of Sutton and Associates, Larry Sutton, said that when he recently entered his office, he noticed his desk drawer partially open and the computer mouse and mouse pad were on the floor. In the bathroom of the office, Sutton discovered the window partially open and in the locked position and items that had been kept on the sill were missing. Sutton then went outside and to the rear of the building where he discovered the missing items from the bathroom window scattered on the ground.
Continuing his investigation, Sutton reportedly found that a MasterCard, CitiCard and American Express business card were missing from his desk drawer, and an undisclosed amount of cash in large bills was missing from a locked box.
Sheriff’s Office reports indicate that after taking Sutton’s statement, deputies then conducted a check of the other buildings in the plaza.
At I AM Institute, the officers discovered that an unknown person(s) had also gained entry to the business by prying open a window, then breaking the glass and cutting the screen. Reported missing from the business were two plastic displays and several bottles of cosmetics, lotions and creams with a total approximate value of $200.
The officers checked the wooded area located near the plaza and recovered the display cases and the cosmetics that had been taken from I AM Institute but no other items were found.
The deputies reported that an attempt to enter Tropical Hair Gallery was apparent at the back of the building where minor damage was done to the door frame which the officers determined was made using a shovel to try pry the door open.
According to Jeannette Jones of MPI properties and Pine Island Cycles, she and her partner have taken steps toward better protecting their property.
“We are most certainly being more cautious. The burglars didn’t get in but they did do a lot of damage to our back door so we no longer leave any cash or any valuables on the property when we lock up,” Jones said. “My advice to others would be to not only look out for themselves, but for their neighbors as well, and please report any kind of incidents that you think may be illegal. If these crimes are not reported, they can’t do anything to stop them from happening again.”
Lorraine Frongillo-Downer, owner of I AM Institute, said the officers conducting the investigation did an exemplary job.
“We owe much appreciation and gratitude to our Lee County Sheriff’s Office and especially Cpl. Cootware, Cpl. Rivera and Sgt. Farah. The officers who processed the crime scene for over seven hours did a commendable job and it is important to give them praise and acknowledgement for their unrelenting service,” she said. “After personally thanking Cpl. Cootware, he humbly stated there was no need to thank him as he was just doing his job. All of the officers involved were concerned and extremely compassionate during the entire day’s investigation, never wavering from their roles as public servants.”
According to sheriff’s deputies, the two teens arrested are also suspects in several other burglaries in the vicinity of the island center.
“The faithful officers were diligent in their efforts, and went about their jobs unceasingly until they found the perpetrators,” said Frongillo-Downer. “I say kudos to the three officers involved who clearly are working in the island’s best interest and we are most grateful.”