Duo accused of violent robbery outside a Fort Myers Dollar General

Two people were arrested Tuesday night after police say they attacked and robbed a man outside a Dollar General in Fort Myers.

According to the Fort Myers Police Department, 37-year-old Carrie Lee Cole and 33-year-old Travis Shawn Wright were arrested after officers responded to a report of a robbery at the 3134 Cleveland Ave. Dollar General around 7:15 p.m.

Cole followed the victim into the store. According to investigators, Cole even tried speaking to him, but there was a language barrier. Once the victim exited and started to unlock his bicycle, Cole aggressively stripped the bicycle from the victim and threw it on the ground. She struck the victim around his head, causing him to fall to the ground.

While the victim was on the ground, Cole went into his left front pocket and removed his wallet. She took out $800 and disposed of the wallet.

Wright inserted himself in the robbery and struck the victim, causing him to fall to the ground. Both Cole and Wright left the scene on foot traveling westbound on Braman Avenue.

FMPD found Cole at a Cleveland Avenue address at around 8:15 p.m. At the same time, another detective found Wright behind a different Cleveland Avenue address. The victim identified Cole and Wright as the subjects involved in the crime.

Investigators say they got the information they needed right away, including a description of the suspects, which direction they fled and surveillance video of the attack. The suspects were mere minutes away from the crime scene.

Cole and Wright were transported to the Lee County Jail. Wright faces a battery charge. Cole faces a charge of robbery without a firearm or weapon.

“You have to be somewhat on guard, especially in this section of Cleveland,” said Fort Myers resident Jeff. “I definitely don’t anticipate being attacked in broad daylight in this area.”

“I get worried about coming here myself,” said fellow resident Kent. “The people that hang around here, they start eyeballing me and start walking towards me and stuff. And I just leave.”

The attack begs the question: What should you do if you think you’re being followed?

“Make sure that they see you seeing them,” said safety and security specialist Rich Kolko. “Take a look at them. Don’t do it confrontational; you don’t need to have any discussion with them. But once they know you’re a real person, you’ve had eye contact with them, and you can describe who they are, chances are they’re going to move on to the next target.”