Cape man charged with criminal mischief, possession of drug paraphernalia
A Cape Coral man was charged Tuesday, July 29, with criminal mischief and possession of drug paraphernalia after reportedly attempting to take a boat from a Cape home.
According to the Cape Coral Police Department report, Tuesday, at approximately 4:14 p.m., officers responded to a reported burglary near Southwest 1st Place. The homeowner reported seeing on his security camera a shirtless male in dark swim trunks attempting to untie and take his boat from the property’s boat lift.
The homeowner was not home at the time and asked a neighbor to go check on his boat.
The report states that upon arriving on scene, officers located and detained the individual, later identified as Stephen William Dudash, 52. Dudash claimed he was there to test drive the vessel after arranging a sale with the owner. However, further investigation revealed that Dudash did not have permission to be on the property or to access the boat
Officers observed damage to the boat lift’s control box and noticed cut straps and the knife used to cut them. All physical evidence was documented and collected at the scene. The estimated cost of damages exceeded $1,100.
While being searched, Dudash admitted to possessing a glass pipe, which tested positive for meth, police said. The pipe was collected as evidence.
The registered owner of the boat confirmed to police that Dudash did not have permission to enter his property or use the boat, and wished to press charges for the damage sustained.
Dudash was arrested without incident and transported to the Lee County Jail on the charges of criminal mischief over $1,000 and possession of drug paraphernalia.