YouTube video tipped off police about Cape Coral armed burglar suspect

Reporter: Breana Ross Writer: Jack Lowenstein
Published: Updated:
Dominique Elijah Hutchinson, 18. Credit: Lee County Sheriff’s Office.

An accused gun thief was caught after he and a group of thieves were recorded attempting to steal a gun safe that fell out of a suspected vehicle. The victim told WINK News it was a rap video on YouTube that showcased his gun that helped police arrest the suspect.

The suspect, Dominique Elijah Hutchinson, 18, faces charges for Burglary (Armed), Larceny (Grand Theft of Firearm), and Damage Property- Criminal Mischief ($200 and under).

Cape Coral police arrested Hutchinson after they said he was one of the suspects who tried to steal a gun safe that fell out of the getaway vehicle at a victim’s home along NW 22nd Terr. in late November.

Police said Hutchinson bragged to his classmates at school about the armed burglary and those students notified their school resource officer. The SRO found a rap video on YouTube that showed the victim’s gun on display.

The homeowner said a gun with a green laser in the video is his and it was stolen from his home in broad daylight last month.

Video still image shows an 18-year-old suspect connected to an armed burglary in Cape Coral. The victim says the suspect can be seen holding his firearm with a green laser attachment. (Credit: YouTube video)

We originally reported three or four people broke into the victim’s home and took the weapon and tried to take the gun safe full of other weapons, too.

“Very surprised,” said Jay Cook, a nearby neighbor. “I had no idea that there was a burglary here.”

The victim said he is relieved at least one person was caught.

Other neighbors we talked to said they heard about the burglary and already added extra security to their homes.

Neighbors such as Cook are still worried since this happened nearby.

“It’s kind of unsettling, I guess,” Cook said.

And the thought that others could still be on the loose makes Cook want to beef up his security.

“When we first moved in, the guy asked me if we wanted to have cameras on the front and back of the house,” said Cook, who recently moved to the neighborhood with his family. “I really didn’t think anything about it but may not be a bad idea now.”

Hutchinson is also facing another charge out of Fort Myers. Fort Myers police told CCPD he was wanted there for an unrelated robbery.

The U.S. Marshals task force arrested Hutchinson and took him to Lee County Jail. Hutchinson posted over $300,000 bond. He is scheduled to appear in court on Jan. 21.

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