Sanibel police apprehend suspect in connection to burnt gazebo

Multiple law enforcement agencies responded to a scene in Sanibel, where they found a gazebo on fire and an injured suspect.

The Sanibel Police Department and the Lee County Sheriff’s Office have been on the scene located on Buttonwood Lane since late Wednesday.

According to police, a person attempted to break into an occupied unit on Buttonwood Lane. 

The suspect’s name is Robert Latta Butterfield III. He faces charges of burglary of an unoccupied dwelling and criminal mischief with damage over $1,000.

Sanibel police and fire responded to this scene.

According to LCSO’s report, a detective walked around the scene and noticed a trail of clothing directly across the home.

The report goes on to say that it appeared that Butterfield left his home, removed his clothing and began to bang on the back door of a rental property.

It remains unknown what Butterfield used to break the window, but a round paver stone was located nearby and a lot of blood.

A porch chair was located out of place and detectives believe that it may have been used to break the glass of the front door.

The roof of the tiki hut was completely burnt and part of the fence nearby.

According to Sanibel Police, the investigation was then turned over to LCSO.

Now Butterfield is behind bars, and he’s no stranger to law enforcement. Butterfield has records in Mississippi and in Florida.

Neighbors spoke with WINK News, detailing that they witnessed the gazebo on fire around 11 p.m. on Wednesday.

The Sanibel Fire District responded to extinguish the fire.