2 arrested in Lee County after leading chase in stolen car

Reporter: Anika Henanger Writer: Jack Lowenstein
Published: Updated:
Brandon Raheem Poteet, 18, and Demetrius Royce Brown, 19. Credit: Lee County Sheriff’s Office.

Lee County Sheriff’s Office conducted a chase along State Road 82 near I-75 during early hours Thursday morning. It led LCSO to arrest 18-year-old Brandon Raheem Poteet and 19-year-old Demetrius Royce Brown for stealing a car and resisting arrest.

We also responded to the scene of what was an estimated 17 law enforcement vehicles in the area of the response around 2 a.m.

The suspects led deputies on a car chase, which then became a chase on foot. Suspects were trying to flee in a waterlogged field in their car and then took off running. But the sheriff’s office got hold of them and were able to make arrests.

Tanya Morales works at a 7-Eleven near where law enforcement was searching for ther suspects. She was worried for her customer’s safety when she learned it was a chase.

“All my customers were so excited to see me, and I was so excited to see them,” Morales said. ‘And if something was to happen to one of them, oh, it would crush me.”

Both men face charges for Vehicle Theft (Grand Theft of Motor Vehicle) and Resisting Officer Without Violence. Poteet also faces a charge for Moving Traffic Violation (Operating Motor Vehicle Without Valid Driver’s License).

Poteet was previously arrested in 2016 for stealing cars. What happened after the arrest is sealed in court records, since he was underage at the time.

Poteet and Brown are in Lee County Jail without set bond currently. They are both scheduled to appear in court in in September.

Copyright ©2025 Fort Myers Broadcasting. All rights reserved.

This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without prior written consent.