A pair of armed robbers who attacked a man, displayed a knife and made off with the victim’s car and other items were arrested a short time later due to the quick actions of officers and the help of witnesses.
On August 27th, 2019 at approximately 11:00 pm, Cape Coral Police patrol officers responded to a call of a robbery in the parking lot east of the Hancock Little League fields located at 2211 Hancock Bridge Parkway East. Upon arrival, officers learned that the victim and two friends had met in the parking lot, and had the hood of the victim’s vehicle open inspecting an engine issue.
They were surprised by two men dressed all in black and wearing masks, who attacked the victim by punching him in the head, grabbing his wallet from one of his cargo pockets and displaying a knife. The suspects then jumped into the victim’s vehicle and fled via Hunter Boulevard, south over Hancock Bridge Parkway, down SE 24th Avenue toward the Viscaya Parkway rotary. The victim and his friends pursued the suspects in the friends’ vehicle, losing sight around the rotary. They then contacted the police.
Officers canvassed the area and quickly located the vehicle near the intersection of SE 3rd Street and SE 21st Place. They also located two suspects standing approximately 1,300 feet away from the vehicle, who were positively identified as the suspects and had the same denominations of cash (including a $2 bill) that the victim stated had been taken from him.
Along with other investigative factors, this led to probable cause for the arrest of the two suspects, Brian Perez (W/M, DOB: 10-8-00) and James Stewart (B/M, DOB: 1-21-99). Both were charged with armed robbery, grand theft auto, and battery, and both were transported to the Lee County Jail.
ARRESTED: Brian Matthew Perez, W/M, DOB: 10-8-00, of 1761 Four Mile Cove Parkway #530, Cape Coral FL.
CHARGES: Armed Robbery, Grand Theft Auto, Battery
ARRESTED: James Stewart, B/M, DOB: 1-21-99, of 1602 SW 16th Court, Cape Coral FL.
CHARGES: Armed Robbery, Grand Theft Auto, Battery
