A teen is facing charges in connection with a series of vehicle thefts, burglaries and a DUI crash in Cape Coral.
According to the Cape Coral Police Department, officers were called to a reported motor vehicle theft at the 7-Eleven at 3129 Chiquita Boulevard South on Sunday night.
A victim told police that his maroon Kia Sorento was stolen from the parking lot after he left his keys inside and went into the store briefly.
According to the CCPD news release, when officers arrived, they found an unoccupied blue Honda CR-V in the area with its lights on, engine running, and transmission left in reverse.
Police discovered the Honda was stolen from a home near Gleason Parkway and Skyline Boulevard. At the same residence, another vehicle, a Suburban, had been burglarized.
CCPD said the Honda struck the Suburban while backing out of the driveway and caused damage to both vehicles.
As CCPD officers were talking to the owner of the Kia at the 7-Eleven, he spotted it traveling on Gleason Parkway toward the intersection at Chiquita Boulevard.
According to the news release, the driver, later identified as D M. A, 16, was seen heading southbound on Chiquita Boulevard S before turning eastbound onto SW 31st Terrace with no headlights.
Police reviewed surveillance video from the store and saw the suspect exiting the Honda and driving away in the Kia Sorento.
Lee County Sheriff’s Office’s aviation unit then joined the search and found the stolen Kia going north on Chiquita Boulevard at high speeds.
At approximately 10:24 p.m., the vehicle crashed at SW 28th Terrace and SW 17th Avenue.
Police said the vehicle hit a wooden utility pole and a dumpster before stopping on the site of a home under construction.
CCPD officers and Florida Highway Patrol troopers then detained A.
Police said A showed signs of impairment, including bloodshot eyes, slurred speech, and the odor of alcohol. He was taken to a local hospital due to crash-related injuries.
According to the CCPD news release, A’s Blood Alcohol Concentration was tested at .105. Florida’s legal limit is .02 for those under the age of 21 who are legally allowed to drink. He was arrested for DUI by the FHP.
CCPD detectives said A was wearing the same clothing that was seen on the 7-Eleven surveillance footage when he was caught.
Investigators found stolen alcoholic beverages, snacks, and a key fob belonging to another vehicle inside the stolen Kia. The Suburban that was burglarized also contained scattered personal checks and an open alcoholic beverage.
According to the report, the crash resulted in the Kia being totaled; an estimated $30,000 loss, a damaged LCEC utility pole; replacement cost approximately $30,000, and a damaged dumpster; an estimated $5,000.
A is facing the following charges:
- 3 counts of DUI property damage
- 3 counts of burglary of an unoccupied conveyance
- 2 counts of grand theft motor vehicle
- 1 count of DUI
- 1 count of petit theft (under $750)
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Source: gulfcoastnewsnow
