Two suspects arrested on 32 charges related to series of residential burglaries
Cape Coral Police have charged two suspects in a series of residential burglaries committed over the course of several months. Michael Gomez, 17, and Jose Emanuel Perez Cortes, 20, were arrested and charged with 32 total counts of burglary, grand theft and criminal mischief, according to police. Only eight of the charges are misdemeanors.
According to police, during the investigation, which was done in cooperation with the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, Cape police determined that Gomez was involved in nine residential burglaries, and Cortes participated in three of these crimes. Large amounts of property were seized by the LCSO during the execution of search warrants, and the property was later identified by the victims. The value of the property stolen at the nine burglaries was more than $54,500. Police recovered more than $26,000 of the stolen goods, which were returned to the owners.
The sweeping investigation was initiated after LCSO arrested Gomez on Oct. 14 in connection with a Lee County burglary case. During a consent search at 4234 S.E. 19th Place, #B, LCSO detectives found multiple pieces of stolen property, including a checkbook that was identified as stolen in a recent residential burglary in Cape Coral.
In a sworn statement, Gomez reportedly said that many of the pieces of jewelry discovered at the location were stolen during residential burglaries. Gomez allegedly indicated that Cortes also was involved with the burglaries.
LCSO contacted Cape police, and Cape Det. Alisha McDonald joined the LCSO detectives in executing a search warrant at the Southeast 19th Place location. During the search, numerous items were found and identified as property recently stolen in several Lee County and Cape Coral burglaries. LCSO detectives approached Cortes at his home, and Cortes admitted to being involved in some of residential burglaries with Gomez, according to reports.
On Oct. 16, Cortes agreed to participate in a drive-around with Det. McDonald and an LCSO detective and point out the residences that he had burglarized. He identified two homes in Cape Coral.
The investigation continued, and Cape Police determined that there was sufficient probable cause to arrest Gomez and Cortes in association with the residential burglaries. Gomez faces nine counts of burglary, nine counts of grand theft and seven counts of criminal mischief.
Cortes is charged with three counts of burglary, three counts of grand theft and one count of criminal mischief.
In addition to the Cape Coral charges, the suspects face multiple charges from Lee County.