Most Wanted Wednesday: We feature some of SWFL’s most wanted suspects; April 20

Reporter: Rich Kolko
Published: Updated:
Crime Stoppers Most Wanted Wednesday
Ricardo Francisco, John Smith, Alto Thomas.

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.

Ricardo Francisco

Ricardo Francisco (DOB 12/27/72) – wanted in Lee County on a bench warrant for failure to appear on charges of sexual battery on a child under 12 years of age.

Francisco is accused of regularly picking the little girl up and bringing her to parking lots of shopping centers, where he would rape her and force her to perform inappropriate and illegal acts.

These allegations went on for two years before the victim told a trusted adult. Francisco was arrested on the charge and released after three days in jail, with the promise that he’d show back up for his next court hearing, which he has failed to do.

He has two previous arrests for battery/domestic violence and was last known to be living in the Tice area. He is 5’3”, 140 pounds and upon his arrest, he will be held without bond.

John Smith

John Smith (DOB 4/6/61) – wanted in Lee County on an order revoking pretrial supervision for driving under the influence and fleeing and eluding officers.

Cape Coral police responded downtown after a call about a reckless driver just after 2 a.m. When officers arrived, they say they saw Smith swerving in and out of traffic and driving over curbs.

They tried to pull him over, however, Smith continueed driving another three miles or so down the road, still endangering other drivers, not to mention himself.

He eventually pulled into the driveway of a home where officers finally caught up with him and immediately noticed signs of impairment, including, what they say was a strong smell of alcohol.

Smith refused a breath test and was charged with DUI and fleeing and eluding. While en route to the jail, officers noted that Smith passed out in the back seat.

He was released from jail the next day under the conditions that he would adhere to certain rules while he waited for his next court hearing, which he has been unable to comply with. He is 5’9”, 165 pounds and was last known to be living in downtown Cape Coral.

Alto Thomas

Alto Thomas (DOB 8/10/88) – wanted in Lee County for violation of drug offender probation for battery on a law enforcement officer.

He is a repeat offender with a lengthy history of violence, who was also recently added to Crime Stoppers 10 Most Wanted list. His criminal past started just days after his 13th birthday when he was arrested for felony assault.

Since then, he’s been booked 25 additional times for aggravated assault, weapons offenses, resisting, battery, fraud, as well as the possession, sale and delivery of drugs. He is 6’2”, 205 pounds, with a tattoo of the words “Grenade Outlaws” on his left arm and a pyramid with “In God We Trust” tattooed on his right arm. And upon his arrest, he will be held without bond.


SERIESSee previous weeks’ Most Wanted Wednesday fugitives

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

Crime Stoppers
Crime Stoppers

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