LEHIGH ACRES FGCU softball team helps Habitat for Humanity build three homes The Florida Gulf Coast University softball team helped Habitat for Humanity build three homes Saturday.
ESTERO Home Base Golf Tournament helps SWFL Veterans Veterans hit the green at the Copperleaf Golf Course on Saturday. This was part of the Home Base golf tournament.
FORT MYERS At least one person dead after propane truck collides with golf cart Florida Highway Patrol is investigating a crash that has left one person dead and another injured Saturday morning.
Scattered storms ahead for your Saturday plans The Weather Authority is tracking weekend temperatures in the low to mid-90s this weekend with a chance for scattered storms this afternoon.
WINK NEWS SWFL Scoreboard: High School Football Week 3 Thunderstorms tried to put a stop to week three of high school football on Friday Night, but gridiron action prevailed.
Man accused of plotting murder-for-hire denied bond A man suspected of being involved with a murder-for-hire plot will stay behind bars. Ryan Toranzo had his renewed motion to set bond denied today in Collier County Court.
LABELLE Two dead after crash on State Road 80 According to the Florida Highway Patrol, there was a crash on State Road 80 that has left at least one person dead Friday evening.
DeSoto County looks to recruit more teachers While it can sometimes be easy to fill a classroom with students, it is not so easy for teachers. Schools across the nation and locally in Southwest Florida are still dealing with the challenges of teacher shortages. With class back in session, so is teacher recruiting for DeSoto County schools. The assistant superintendent, Jake Reynolds, […]
IMMOKALEE ROAD Push for change after deadly crash on Immokalee Rd. We’re told the woman was driving with two kids in the car when a semi ran a red light and hit her Thursday morning.
FORT MYERS BEACH Mobi-Mats deployed on Fort Myers Beach A walkway to paradise! Brand new and blue, the Mobi-Mat is making things easier for Fort Myers Beachgoers.
NAPLES Women of Steel business conference inspiring and empowering women Focused, hardworking, empowered. These women have made a name for themselves as Women of Steel.
NAPLES Beloved Collier County bus driver retires after 20 years After 20 years of getting kids to school safely, a beloved Collier County bus driver is retiring.
Wade Wilson has new death row mugshot Convicted double-killer Wade Wilson has a new death row mugshot.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA Sizzle Dining is back in SWFL It’s Sizzle Season! Local restaurants are ready to welcome new faces by offering exclusive menu deals to attract new customers.
LEHIGH ACRES FGCU softball team helps Habitat for Humanity build three homes The Florida Gulf Coast University softball team helped Habitat for Humanity build three homes Saturday.
ESTERO Home Base Golf Tournament helps SWFL Veterans Veterans hit the green at the Copperleaf Golf Course on Saturday. This was part of the Home Base golf tournament.
FORT MYERS At least one person dead after propane truck collides with golf cart Florida Highway Patrol is investigating a crash that has left one person dead and another injured Saturday morning.
Scattered storms ahead for your Saturday plans The Weather Authority is tracking weekend temperatures in the low to mid-90s this weekend with a chance for scattered storms this afternoon.
WINK NEWS SWFL Scoreboard: High School Football Week 3 Thunderstorms tried to put a stop to week three of high school football on Friday Night, but gridiron action prevailed.
Man accused of plotting murder-for-hire denied bond A man suspected of being involved with a murder-for-hire plot will stay behind bars. Ryan Toranzo had his renewed motion to set bond denied today in Collier County Court.
LABELLE Two dead after crash on State Road 80 According to the Florida Highway Patrol, there was a crash on State Road 80 that has left at least one person dead Friday evening.
DeSoto County looks to recruit more teachers While it can sometimes be easy to fill a classroom with students, it is not so easy for teachers. Schools across the nation and locally in Southwest Florida are still dealing with the challenges of teacher shortages. With class back in session, so is teacher recruiting for DeSoto County schools. The assistant superintendent, Jake Reynolds, […]
IMMOKALEE ROAD Push for change after deadly crash on Immokalee Rd. We’re told the woman was driving with two kids in the car when a semi ran a red light and hit her Thursday morning.
FORT MYERS BEACH Mobi-Mats deployed on Fort Myers Beach A walkway to paradise! Brand new and blue, the Mobi-Mat is making things easier for Fort Myers Beachgoers.
NAPLES Women of Steel business conference inspiring and empowering women Focused, hardworking, empowered. These women have made a name for themselves as Women of Steel.
NAPLES Beloved Collier County bus driver retires after 20 years After 20 years of getting kids to school safely, a beloved Collier County bus driver is retiring.
Wade Wilson has new death row mugshot Convicted double-killer Wade Wilson has a new death row mugshot.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA Sizzle Dining is back in SWFL It’s Sizzle Season! Local restaurants are ready to welcome new faces by offering exclusive menu deals to attract new customers.
Aaron Bradley Stein (CREDIT: Knoxville Police Department) The Collier County Sheriff’s Office has identified the now-deceased suspect wanted for the attempted kidnapping of a jogger at Naples Park in 2020. DNA evidence from the woman helped identify the suspect as 36-year-old Aaron Bradley Stein, the sheriff’s office said. He died on Aug. 9, 2021, after being caught by Tennessee authorities for a separate crime. Stein had been on the run for a suspected carjacking in Jefferson County, Tenn. that occurred in Aug. of 2021. He shot himself as he was being taken into custody by Tennessee law enforcement, according to the Collier County Sheriff’s Office. The Naples Park incident happened on Nov. 10, 2020, when a woman was forced into a van after a man threatened her with a knife. “I was running, and this man in a minivan came up to me while I was running, and he could have potentially kidnapped me,” said the woman while speaking with a 911 operator. The woman was able to fight the man off and flee. Sketch of the suspect wanted in connection with the attempted kidnapping of a jogger and the luring of four other women all in Naples Park in November 2020. Credit: Collier County Sheriff’s Office. A composite of the suspect led to the discovery of four other incidents that also occurred in the same area. On Dec. 3, 2021, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement notified the sheriff’s office of a possible DNA match from DNA taken from the victim. The DNA provided by the victim and the DNA from Stein were entered into CODIS, the Combined DNA Index System, where they were shown to be a match. During the investigation, deputies received more than 200 leads, many of which were tips from the public. Two of the tips identified Stein as the suspect. He lived in North Fort Myers and worked in Collier County at the time of the attempted kidnapping, the sheriff’s office said. Detectives followed up with the tips but were “unable to lawfully and with evidence connect him to the attempted kidnapping.” He then moved to Tennessee. “I am grateful for the diligent work of our detectives that led to the identification of the suspect,” said Collier County Sheriff Kevin Rambosk. “I also want to thank the public for providing the Collier County Sheriff’s Office with valuable information during the investigation.” UPDATE: Aaron Bradley Stein was taken into custody early this morning in Jefferson County, Tennessee. He was transported to the UT Medical Center with a self-inflicted gunshot wound. https://t.co/zrv8WwzBEU pic.twitter.com/dScdLndwZh — Knoxville Police TN (@Knoxville_PD) August 9, 2021 “The case is closed, but it’s still a tragedy,” said Ina Kacani, who lives near where the woman was abducted. Neighbors who spent more than a year concerned for their safety were shocked to learn that not only was the suspect identified but that he died last August. “I was concerned. I didn’t know whether it was a local person,” said Kacani. While he was being investigated, deputies say stein moved from Florida to Tennessee. “That gives you closure. If you never hear what happened, then you never know,” said Kacani. People hope this is closure for the women who were targeted as well. “They might never feel safe walking around here again. Hopefully, they can find some peace with it all,” said Jacquelyn Tanis. Although DNA evidence only linked Stein to one abduction, four other similar incidents were also being investigated in this area. The sheriff’s office believes he is responsible for those as well.