Suspects arrested, accused of robbery with a weapon in south Fort Myers

Two suspects have been arrested for robbing someone at the Days Inn on South Cleveland Street on Aug. 22.

Jose Rivera, 43, and Christina Nelson, 31, were arrested on charges of robbery with a weapon.

On Aug. 22 deputies responded to a robbery investigation. The victim told deputies that  Nelson and someone else got into an argument about money. Nelson left the room leaving all her belongings behind.

A few hours later Nelson returned to the room to get her belongings. Shortly after Nelson’s return, the victim heard a knock at the door. Nelson opened the door and Rivera said he was there to give Nelson a ride, which started an argument between them, according to the report.

According to the report, Rivera armed himself with a knife and demanded money from the victim. Nelson and Rivera held the victim down, punched them repeatedly, took the victim’s cell phone and $900 in cash, and fled in a grey Dodge pickup truck.

According to the report, the victim only sustained a minor laceration above their left eye.

Due to the victim knowing the two suspects for several years when detectives showed them pictures of Nelson and Rivera, the victim was able to positively I.D them.

On September 6, Nelson and Rivera were arrested and taken to LSCO headquarters for an interview.

Nelson admitted to being at the location and said a ‘scuffle’ had occurred but no weapons were used. She also couldn’t explain why she and Rivera were seen fleeing the scene. Rivera also admitted to being at the location of the crime and getting into a physical altercation with the victim but denied the use of a weapon. Rivera said he was only there to help Nelson get her belongings and the victim started the fight, according to the report.

Nelson and Rivera were taken to Lee County Jail.