18-year-old arrested for one-man crime spree in Lehigh Acres

Reporter: Gina Tomlinson Writer: Jack Lowenstein
Published: Updated:
Giovanni Gonzalez, 18. Credit: Lee County Sheriff’s Office.

An accused crook was caught on surveillance stealing a bike, and was later connected to a number of crimes along a residential street.

On Thursday, Lee County Sheriff’s Office arrested 18-year-old Giovanni Gonzalez after deputies say he went on a one-man crime spree in Lehigh Acres.

According to the arrest report, Gonzalez is accused of four separate burglaries that began on Tuesday. He stole various items from neighbors along Gunnery Road.

”I was excited because we didn’t actually think we were going to get him,” Autumn Hiles said.

Neighbors are happy to have their possessions back. Hiles said it’s been a little bit of a struggle for her husband at work without his company iPad.

“They put in all their information for invoicing and stuff,” Hiles said. “It has the customer’s information, so he can talk to them.”

Deputies say Gonzalez stole the iPad out of Hile’s company van during his crime spree. And a neighbor’s security footage shows Gonzalez taking off on a bike. Andrew Thomas said it was a Mother’s Day gift.

But surveillance and the stolen bike didn’t track down Gonzalez; it was the iPad that helped bust Gonzalez.

“We were able to use her iPhone,” Hiles said. “It shows when its online and when it’s not.”

So they were able to monitor the iPad with the smart phone.

“The other night, we were at work, and it pinged on again,” Hiles said. “Of an alert showing an aerial view of an exact location.

Hiles took a screenshot and sent it to detectives.

Deputies said the information it was enough for a search warrant. They responded to Gonzalez’s home and found stolen items. As they were leaving, Gonzalez returned to the home on the stolen bike, and he was arrested.

“Hopefully, he serves his time and learns a lesson,” Thomas said.

Gonzalez faces charges for three counts of Burglary Unoccupied Conveyance Unarmed, Larceny Petit Theft (Second-Degree, First Offense), two counts for Larceny Grand Theft (Item more than $300, less than $5,000) and Burglary Occupied Dwelling Unarmed.

Gonzalez is in Lee County Jail with bond set at $31,000. His court appearance is set for September.

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