More than $20,000 in jewelry, cash taken from Fort Myers home

FORT MYERS, Fla. – More than $20,000 in jewelry and cash was taken from a Fort Myers home right before Christmas.

The residents of a Via Lago Way home left their residence on Dec. 23, and when they returned the next evening, one of the homeowners noticed the back door to the bathroom was pried open and his wife’s jewelry was missing, the Lee County Sheriff’s Office said.

Surveillance video showed two men entering the home about 45 minutes after the couple left.

“In just a short time, one suspect was able to open the door, handing off the crow bar to his partner in crime while he entered the home,” the department said in a statement.

“It’s a little scary,” said Gary Wright, who lives in the Renaissance Way community. “You believe that you live in a gated community that’s secure, and you find out that people still have access.”

Anyone with information about the suspects is asked to contact Crime Stoppers at 800-780-TIPS (8477). Callers will remain anonymous and will be eligible for a cash reward of up to $1,000. Tips can also be submitted online at www.swflcrimestoppers.org or by texting a tip to CRIMES (274637), keyword: REWARD.