Two charged with acting as secondhand dealers
Today, at approximately 11 a.m., Lee County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to E&C Jewelers Inc., located at 13300 S. Cleveland Avenue, Unit 28, in Fort Myers, in reference to complaints that two individuals were operating the store as an unregistered secondhand dealer. The investigation resulted in the arrest of both of the store’s owners.
When detectives entered the business, they reportedly encountered both owners of the store, Octavio Carrero, 70, and Elizabeth Cholik Carrero, 57. Detectives asked both individuals if they were properly registered to act as a secondhand dealer. Both individuals stated that the store was properly registered. A subsequent search of the store failed to yield the proper documentation, a violation of FSS 538.09(1), a misdemeanor.
Several items were seized and submitted as evidence. Both Octavio and Elizabeth Carrero were arrested and taken to the Lee County Jail for processing.