Cape man armed with machete attempts to break into neighbor’s house
A Cape Coral man was arrested Saturday and charged by city police with attempted burglary, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, criminal mischief and resisting arrest without violence.
At approximately 10:20 p.m. Saturday, Cape Coral Police officers responded to a call for service at 2100 block of Southwest 12th Lane in reference to a burglary in progress.
The caller noted stated that a neighbor, later identified as Matthew David Ditter, 38, of 2111 S.W. 12th Lane, was attempting to break into the residence with a machete. The victim stated that the male was smashing out the front windows of the residence and vehicle windows in their driveway.
The report from the CCPD said officers arrived at the scene and located a male matching the description inside a closed garage at 2111 S.W. 12th Lane. Ditter then began yelling at officers through the closed garage door’s window to shoot him. He reportedly continued to break windows and objects inside the garage with his hands.
Ditter eventually opened the garage but refused verbal commands to comply. The CCPD’s K9 was utilized for apprehension, and the suspect was detained.
Officers reported Ditter was covered in bleach and gasoline, and he was later decontaminated and then medically cleared.
The investigation revealed that Ditter had had a dispute at his residence and became irate. He acquired a machete and baseball bat and began damaging multiple items before proceeding to the victim’s residence. He then began attempting to enter the residence of the victim for an unknown reason. While attempting to enter the residence he shouted that he would kill all occupants inside, police reported.
Based on the erratic and violent behaviors displayed by Ditter, he was recommended as a Risk Protection Order candidate.
Ditter, who was subsequently transported to Lee County Jail as disorderly.
Source: Cape Coral Police Department