Man facing charges for breaking into multiple Lehigh Acres homes

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LEHIGH ACRES, Fla.- A neighborhood is on high alert after deputies say one man wreaked havoc by breaking into multiple homes.

It was around 2:30 a.m. Thursday when Maria Torrens and her family woke up to a loud crash.

“Broke my window, my kitchen window,” said Torrens. “I feel nervous.”

The family called 911 and that’s when their home turned into a crime scene.

“Helicopters came to investigate what was going on. The policemen were out front,” said Erika Torrens.

It wasn’t until Monday morning that the Torrens family learned just how brazen the suspect was.

Lee County deputies say Joseph Simmons broke into multiple homes and tried to break into several cars all in one night.

According to authorities, Simmons first tried to break into a home on 6th street but got scared off by the owner.

Officials say a hose in the neighbor’s car shows Simmons was likely trying to siphon gas.

Minutes later, another call was made to 911 from a home just a couple blocks away.

The homeowner tells WINK News he was watching the suspect on his surveillance cameras.

“I saw him try to open the five cars I have at my house,” said the homeowner who preferred not to be identified.

After taking off again, Simmons’ arrest report says he later broke into another home and got into a fight with the 71-year-old homeowner before leaving.

His streak came to an end at a Wendy’s where deputies recognized Simmons from an earlier call.

As for the homeowners, the man who captured the ordeal on his surveillance camera tells WINK News he’s installed even more cameras since the crime spree.

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