Professional Experience

Hired in 2019 as the Safety and Security Specialist at WINK News. FBI Special Agent 1996-2017 serving in Atlanta, New York, FBI HQ and Quantico, VA. Served in the Navy, both on active duty and the reserve, retiring as a Commander in 2011.

News Philosophy

Work to help the citizens of SWFL keep their family, home, cyber, and finances safe and secure.

Hobbies & Interests

Flying, fishing & luge.

Education

Masters in Homeland Security from American Military University, Bachelors in Communications from the University of Miami.

Likes best about Southwest Florida

The people, along with the weather, and no DC traffic!

Hometown

Poughkeepsie, NY.

Have you been ‘pwned?’ No one is immune to a data breach

Have you been “pwned?” The website “Have I Been Pwned?” tracks all the accounts hackers could have access to and there are more than nine billion at risk. Are you one of them? Started by a Microsoft engineer, the site is a play off the word “owned.” They’re basically asking the question, do the hackers […]

Most Wanted Wednesday. (Credit: WINK News)

Most Wanted Wednesday: Let’s end the year with another arrest

It is Christmas and it is also Wednesday, so that means it is time for the Most Wanted Wednesday. While we are not adding new fugitives to the list today, there are plenty that wanted by Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers still out on our streets. Since we started this partnership with Crime Stoppers, your calls […]

How to keep apps from getting you and your kid’s information

During the holiday season, many more folks are using electronics such as their smartphones and downloading new apps. So when it comes to keeping the kids happy on Christmas, do you really know what privacy you’re giving up in return? We looked at what you need to know about privacy safety with apps on your […]

Ring says unauthorized camera access is ‘bad actors’; no hack, but change password

More than 3,000 Ring customers received email notices to change their password, sparking fears of a possible hack. Just last week, WINK News reported a family in Cape Coral heard loud noises and racial slurs from a person connected to their Ring camera. After investigating, Ring said there was “no evidence of an unauthorized intrusion […]

Most Wanted Wednesday: We feature three of SWFL’s most wanted suspects; Dec. 18

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 […]

Airplane soars in the air. (Credit: Nils Nedel, Unsplash)

US government issues new travel advisory for Mexico

Booking vacations is popular at Christmas, but before you do, there is an important travel advisory. WINK News safety and security specialist Rich Kolko shows you in the video above what you need to know about Mexico. Read the full advisory below: Exercise increased caution in Mexico due to crime and kidnapping. Some areas have increased risk. Read […]

A motorist replaces the gas pump after filling her car at a Shell station. Photo via CBS.

The new way criminals are stealing your money at the gas pump

Gas stations have tried to keep your credit card safe from skimmers with stickers, locks and cameras at the pump. But it turns out, all of that may not even matter. Some sophisticated crooks are skipping the skimmers altogether and are hacking the credit card reader at the pumps. Knowing that makes it “nerve-wracking” for […]

Second “Most Wanted Wednesday” suspect captured in a week

WINK News’ “Most Wanted Wednesday” series is helping to get fugitives off the streets. For the second time in only two days, viewers like you called in a tip that led to an arrest. We featured Tyrone Robison as one of three suspects this week. Thursday night a tip was called into the Lee County […]

Ring camera hacked in Cape Coral, devices connected to internet vulnerable

From a phone or a computer, people can keep tabs on their home with cameras. And millions say it’s giving them peace of mind. But, now, some say those cameras are giving them feelings of vulnerability. At least three reported Ring camera hacks have occurred in the past week nationwide, including one in Cape Coral. […]

“Most Wanted Wednesday” suspect captured

Less than 24 hours after we showed you this fugitive’s photo, you helped put her behind bars. We featured Michael (Pronounced Michelle) Innocenti on the “Most wanted Wednesday” segment at 4 p.m. on Wednesdays, and Lee County Deputies arrested her for violating her probation hours later. Innocenti is a convicted felon and recently got arrested […]