Men attempt to cash in stolen item at Fort Myers Autozone

LEHIGH ACRES, Fla.- Two men are accused of trying to return an item stolen during a Lehigh Acres car burglary for cash at an Autozone store.

The victim’s locked car, parked outside his home on East 15th Street, was broken into sometime between 10 p.m. on Dec. 5 and 4 a.m. the following morning, deputies said.

Lee County authorities say the burglars smashed in the car’s rear passenger side window, and took a subwoofer, an amplifier and a Duralast wheel bearing still in the box, with the receipt attached, totaling approximately $500.

A few hours later, authorities say two men entered the Autozone store located on the 3700 block of Palm Beach Boulevard, and tried to return the wheel bearing.

A store employee recognized the name on the receipt, and knew the item did not belong to the men, authorities said. The employee offered the men store credit instead of cash, which they declined, officials said.

Deputies have not confirmed if the men who attempted to return the stolen item were involved in the car burglary.

If you have any information, call Southwest Florida 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.