Man accused of Cape Coral garage burglary

Author: Jillian Haggerty Writer: Carolina Guzman
Published: Updated:

A man has been arrested after allegedly breaking into and ransacking a Cape Coral home and then fleeing from police.

According to the Cape Coral Police Department, on Wednesday, around 3:13 a.m., officers responded to a home near Pelican Boulevard for a burglary in progress.

The homeowner said they believed someone had broken into their garage and was shining a light inside. 

The suspect, 33-year-old Joel Tucker Willin, exited the home and fled. Officers found a trail of items leading to a nearby canal, where they saw Willin before losing sight of him.

Detectives from the Property Crimes Unit found Willin’s ski mask and headlamp, which he wore during the incident.

Officers also found a large red shoe floating in a lake/canal near where Willin had jumped in. A bicycle was found across the street from the burglarized residence. Detectives confirmed that the bike did not belong to the homeowner. 

The investigation revealed that on the morning of the burglary, Willin was seen soaking wet in an area across the canal. 

Further investigation led detectives to a possible address for Willin where officers were able to locate and interview him.

WINK News spoke with CCPD Officer Mercedes Phillips regarding the investigation details.

“We had all of these pieces to tie to that suspect. From there, we were able to investigate. We got a tip from someone who said, ‘Hey, he showed up on this side, soaking wet. We saw a big police presence,'” said Phillips.

Willin reportedly burglarized the homeowner’s residence by cutting out a screen and unlocking the door.

Police said he ransacked the garage, including the homeowner’s car, and stole over $750 worth of belongings.

All items discovered near the scene, including the ski mask, headlamp, shoe and bicycle, were confirmed to be Willin’s. 

Willin has been charged with burglary of an occupied dwelling, unarmed burglary of an unoccupied conveyance, grand theft of $750 or more but less than $5,000, and resisting an officer without violence.

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