Cape residents charged with grand theft, resisting arrest
A pair of Cape Coral residents have been arrested after police connected them to a theft at a local Target.
Elle Bradford, 37, and Jeremiah Garcia, 33, have been charged with grand theft and resisting an officer without violence.
According to Cape Coral Police Department officials, on June 5, officers responded to a delayed report of theft at the Target on Santa Barbara Boulevard. Police say its investigation revealed that on June 1, two individuals entered the store and took a Samsung projector valued at $799.99 to self checkout, and that they scanned a barcode for a “significantly” lower-priced item.
CCPD officials stated the case was assigned to the Property Crimes Unit, which conducted a detailed investigation that included reviewing surveillance footage, collecting evidence and following up on community tips.
“After the Cape Coral Police Department shared images from the incident on its Facebook and Instagram platforms, several tips were received from members of the public that helped detectives identify the suspects,” a CCPD release stated.
On June 24, officers attempted to make contact with the suspects at a residence in the Cape, according to CCPD officials. Police stated that once the pair saw law enforcement, both fled from the residence and were later observed changing their clothing at a nearby gym in an apparent attempt to avoid detection.
Police officials said the next day, both Bradford and Garcia arrived at the Cape Coral Police Department, where they were taken into custody without incident and transported to Lee County Jail.
Bradford and Garcia were both released on a $3,000 bond each.