Criminal couple wanted for multiple grand thefts

LEE COUNTY, Fla.- Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers is looking to track down a criminal couple who have targeted several area businesses over the last two weeks, stealing high end electronics and television sets, then taking off when law enforcement attempts to approach them.

Police say 43-year-old Lisa Martinez and 31-year-old Michael Caney have been dodging deputies amidst several charges of grand theft and resisting a merchant.

On February 24, Martinez was identified from surveillance video as the woman who stole a 50 inch RCA television set from the Kmart on McGregor Boulevard.

Then on Monday, March 9, her co-hort Caney entered the Costco on Cypress Lake Drive and is accused of stealing $700 worth of electronics.

Authorities believe the couple also stole another large screen television set from a Fort Myers Wal-Mart store.

On several occasions, detectives have caught up with the couple in their silver 2014 Kia Soul, however each time, the driver refused to stop and drove off in a reckless and endangering manner.

“These two are wreaking havoc on local businesses, and we expect they will continue to do so until they’re caught,” said Trish Routte, Crime Stoppers Coordinator. “Both of these crooks have a history of theft and other related issues with the law, and despite the time they’ve both spent in jail previously for their misdeeds, they’ve clearly not learned that there are consequences for their criminal ways.  Hopefully some more time behind bars will help clarify that message to them.”

Martinez is a registered felon, with six previous arrests in Lee County for several counts of grand theft, probation violations and contracting without a license.

Caney has nine prior bookings in Lee County for multiple counts of drug possession, trafficking in oxycodone and hit and run. In addition to his local jail time, Caney has also served two years in state prison for drug related offenses.

Upon their arrests, both will be charged with multiple counts of grand theft. According to detectives, both are also suspects in several other active theft investigations.

As of Wednesday morning, Martinez and Caney were still driving the silver Kia, and are believed to be living in or around the McGregor Boulevard area. Anyone who has seen either one of these suspects is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-780-TIPS (8477).  All callers will remain anonymous and will be eligible for a cash reward of up to $1,000.  Tips may also be made online at www.swflcrimestoppers.org or by texting a tip to CRIMES (274637) Keyword: REWARD.