Most Wanted Wednesday: We feature some of SWFL’s most wanted suspects; Dec. 23

This weekly WINK News segment features fugitives from justice right here in Southwest Florida.

This is your chance to help out the community and give the tip that gets these people off the street. These suspects need to be found – and you can help. If you have seen them, reach out to Crime Stoppers or your local law enforcement. Call 1-800-780-TIPS (8477).

Here are three fugitives wanted by Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers.

Esmerelda Deltoro (DOB 6/23/89) – wanted in Lee County for violation of probation – grand theft and DUI and failure to appear – driving while license suspended or revoked (three warrants total).

The grand theft charge stems from an incident at her former place of employment at a local fast-food restaurant.

On more than 90 occasions, Deltoro, in the capacity of a manager, made fraudulent refunds and instead of crediting the customer, she pocketed the cash, to the tune of more than $900.

The DUI charge is related to an incident where she was driving drunk in downtown Fort Myers and nearly ran over a pedestrian. After failing a series of field sobriety tests, she was charged with DUI.

A breath test showed that she was impaired at more than twice the legal limit in the middle of the afternoon.

To date, she’s been booked a dozen times on charges that include fraud, theft, aggravated battery, trespassing and being a deadbeat mom. She is 5’4”, 185 pounds and was last known to be living in Lehigh.

She has several tattoos, including “love is a drug” on her left shoulder, Mickey Mouse on her left leg, “my story isn’t over” on her right foot and two paw claws with dripping blood on her chest. Upon her arrest, she’ll be held without bond.

Bethany Johnson (DOB 2/26/57) – wanted in Collier County on a bench warrant for failure to appear on two counts of the possession of a controlled substance and the possession/use of drug paraphernalia.

To date, she’s been arrested for the possession of amphetamines, cocaine and heroin, evidence tampering, burglary, fraud, white-collar crimes against the elderly, fleeing and eluding officers and check forgery.

For her actions, she’s also been sent to state prison twice for a term of just over four years. Johnson was last known to be living in the Golden Gate area, working as a nail tech.

She is 5’7”, 180 pounds and may be using the aliases of Bethany Faulkner or Brenda Lou Johnson, as well as her street names of “Bea”, “Buffy” and “Zena.”

Ruben Vargas (DOB 1/28/95) – wanted in Lee County for violation of probation – grand theft. Vargas was working on a landscape crew.

At the end of the day, he suddenly took off and didn’t return with his co-workers. It was quickly discovered by his bosses that a work cart was missing from the fleet… as was Vargas. Detectives were able to track the cart back to Vargas, who was trying to sell it quickly for $2,000 for his own personal profit.

Fortunately, the cart was found and returned to the business and Vargas ended up spending nearly three months behind bars for the theft.

He’s been booked 10 times before in Lee County on charges of grand theft, dealing in stolen property, drug possession, hit and run and habitually driving with a suspended or revoked license.

He is a criminal registrant who is 5’7”, 150 pounds, and was last known to be living in southwest Cape Coral, though he does have previous addresses listed in North Fort Myers.

He was supposed to be on state probation until June of 2021, but with this latest violation, that term will likely be extended. He’s been on the run since late August and upon his arrest, he will be held without bond.

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If you have a tip on the whereabouts of any of these wanted suspects contact Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers. All callers will remain anonymous and will be eligible for a cash reward of up to $3,000.

Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers
1-800-780-TIPS (8477) or
southwestfloridacrimestoppers.com