If you have any information about these crimes or any person(s) involved, you are urged to call SWFL Crime Stoppers at 1-800-780-TIPS (8477) or click the Submit a Tip button to anonymously provide information. We want your information, not your name! We will pay a cash reward of up to $3,000 if your tip leads to an arrest.
Just over a month after a property search in Punta Gorda was conducted in the Christine Flahive cold case, detectives and Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers are asking for any information on a person of interest.
This morning, Jonathan Charles Payne was named as one person of interest in the disappearance and murder of Christine Flahive on January 4, 1995. Christine was last seen by family members at home, before she left on her bicycle to go to a local bar. She was known to frequent J.D.’s Lounge in downtown Punta Gorda during that time frame, and detectives believe multiple individuals who also frequented that establishment may also have pivotal information that can help solve this case. Cold case detectives have confirmed that Jonathan Payne had close ties to the Rollins Street location, which was searched in January 2019 by the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office, the State Attorney’s Office and the Peace River K-9 Search and Rescue team. Payne, like Christine Flahive, was also a frequent patron of J.D.’s Lounge.
Although Payne passed away in 2011, Crime Stoppers and detectives are anxious to hear from anyone who knew or had contact with Payne around the time that Flahive was murdered.
Anyone with information on Jonathan Charles Payne, or any other aspect of the Christine Flahive murder, is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-780-TIPS (8477). All callers will remain anonymous and will be eligible for a cash reward of up to $3,000. Tips may also be made on the P3Tips mobile app.
** UPDATE #1 **
As a result of several anonymous Crime Stoppers tips, coupled with thorough investigative work, detectives arrested Brandon Francisque (DOB 9/3/95) early this morning in connection with the December robbery in Lehigh Acres. Francisque has been formally charged with robbery with a firearm, kidnapping/false imprisonment, sexual assault, grand theft, property damage and two counts of burglary.
“We appreciate the tipsters who came forward to share what they knew about this case and Mr. Francisque’s alleged involvement,” said Trish Routte, Crime Stoppers Coordinator. “We’re sure the victim will rest easier this evening knowing that his accused assailant is finally behind bars.”
Francisque is currently being held without bond in the Lee County Jail.
ORIGINAL PRESS RELEASE: JANUARY 1, 2019
Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers is asking for the public’s help identifying and tracking down an armed suspect accused of robbing a Lehigh Acres man in his own car.
The victim said he drove to the 7-Eleven convenience store, located on Sunshine Boulevard and SR 82, around 5 a.m. on Monday, December 17th to purchase a drink. When he returned to his car, an unknown black male was sitting in the rear passenger seat, brandishing a firearm. The suspect demanded the victim’s money and cell phone, however all he had was his phone on him. Insisting that he wanted cash, the suspect forced the victim to drive to a Chase Bank several miles away and withdraw $800 in cash. After handing over the money, the victim was ordered to drive back into Lehigh and drop the suspect off on SR 82 near Sunshine Boulevard. The victim was told to remain seated in the car, with his head on the steering wheel, until the suspect had enough time to leave the area on foot. Once the man was gone, the victim drove home and called 9-1-1.
Detectives believe a man captured on surveillance video just prior to the robbery is the suspect in this case. Now, they hope someone will be able to identify and help locate him. Anyone with information on the identity and whereabouts of the suspect is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-780-TIPS (8477). All callers will remain anonymous and will be eligible for a cash reward of up to $3,000. Tips may also be made online at www.southwestfloridacrimestoppers.com or by submitting a tip on the P3Tips mobile app.
Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers is asking for the public’s help, and especially students help, tracking down the person responsible for writing a threat in two bathroom stalls at Cypress Lake High School yesterday morning.
A student reported that someone had written “Dead” and “I’ll shoot up this school” on the walls of two stalls in the boys bathroom on campus, just over an hour after the school day started on Monday, February 25. Detectives say the threat was written with a sharpie. At this point, investigators say the threat appears to be non-credible and seems to be a hoax.
“Students need to realize that making school threats will absolutely lead to negative repercussions, ranging from suspension to arrest,” said Trish Routte, Crime Stoppers Coordinator. “Every single threat is treated with immediate priority response, and requires law enforcement to detract from other necessary duties to investigate. Making these kind of false threats is no joke and students will be held responsible for their actions.”
Anyone with information on the person or persons responsible for Monday’s threats at Cypress Lake High School are asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-780-TIPS (8477). All callers will remain anonymous and will be eligible for a cash reward of up to $3,000. Tips may also be made online at www.southwestfloridacrimestoppers.com or by submitting a tip on the P3Tips mobile app.
A repeat violent offender with an extensive criminal history has been added to Crime Stoppers 10 Most Wanted list this afternoon.
Jarquel Jenkins (DOB 9/18/91) is currently wanted for the sale and delivery of cocaine on the streets of Lee County. Jenkins is a very familiar face to law enforcement, with a felony criminal record that dates back to his teenage years. Jenkins, who is now 27, has priors for kidnapping, battery, aggravated assault with the threat to do violence while wearing a hood or mask, burglary, fleeing and eluding officers and the sale and delivery of heroin. In 2009, he was charged with two counts of homicide, however those charges were later dropped.
Jenkins is 5’6”, 250 pounds and is known on the streets as “Cricket.” Although he moves around frequently, he has established ties in both the Pine Manor and Harlem Heights areas.
Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Jarquel Jenkins is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-780-TIPS (8477). All callers will remain anonymous and will be eligible for a cash reward of up to $3,000. Tips may also be made online at www.southwestfloridacrimestoppers.com or by submitting a tip on the P3Tips mobile app.
Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers is asking for the public’s help tracking down an armed suspect who robbed a Palm Beach Boulevard convenience store last night.
Just after 7:30 p.m. on January 31st, the male suspect entered the Quick and Easy Beverages store, located at 4648 Palm Beach Boulevard. He immediately approached the counter with a black bag in one hand and a small caliber silver semiautomatic pistol in the other. While pointing the gun at the employees, the suspect demanded all the cash in the register. In fear for their lives, the clerks complied. The suspect fled the store and was last seen heading northbound on Palm Beach Boulevard.
The suspect is described as a white, light-skinned male, approximately 5’6”, wearing all black clothing and a black mask, carrying the silver firearm. His shoes were also all black, but had a distinctive white marking in the center of the shoe.
Anyone with information on this armed bandit is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-780-TIPS (8477). All callers will remain anonymous and will be eligible for a cash reward of up to $3,000. Tips may also be made online at www.southwestfloridacrimestoppers.com or by submitting a tip on the P3Tips mobile app.
Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers is asking for the public’s help identifying a man who returned to a Lehigh Acres business this afternoon, just over a month after he’s accused of robbing the store at gunpoint.
Around noon this afternoon, the Lee County Sheriff’s Office received a 9-1-1 call regarding a suspicious person at the Advance America check cashing store, located at 1119 Homestead Road. A known customer was about to be buzzed into the locked business when a male coming from the alleyway walked up behind her. The man was wearing sunglasses and a hat, which prompted employees to motion to him to remove the accessories before unlocking the door, which became standard procedure after the store was robbed at gunpoint on December 21st. Two employees, who both happened to be present for the December robbery, immediately recognized the man who held up the store previously. They both screamed, which caused the suspicious male to take off running. A perimeter was established in the area, with officers on the ground, K-9 units, as well as aviation assistance. The search for the gloved man did not result in his apprehension, however.
The suspicious person who fled this afternoon matches the description of the December 21st robbery suspect. He is a white male, in his 50’s, approximately 6’0”, with a grey short beard. The December robbery occurred around 12:30 p.m., and today’s incident happened around the same time of day.
Anyone who may have been in the area of the Advance America store on Homestead Road this afternoon, who may have recognized someone fitting the suspect’s description, is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-780-TIPS (8477). All callers will remain anonymous and will be eligible for a cash reward of up to $3,000. Tips may also be made online at www.southwestfloridacrimestoppers.comor by submitting a tip on the P3Tips mobile app.
Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers is asking for anonymous tips from students at North Fort Myers High School after written threats of violence were made this morning.
Approximately two hours after school started, School Resource Officers at North High were notified about several threats written in the girl’s bathroom in multi-color dry erase markers. Among the phrases written were “Shooting this school up Monday Feb 4,” “Ima kill them all,” and “Ya’ll don’t need to live,” as well as several other threats. Detectives immediately launched an investigation and have subsequently deemed the threats to be non-credible. However, investigators are trying to determine which student or students may be responsible for writing the threats.
“We encourage parents to talk with their students this weekend about the serious nature and consequences of making these kinds of threats, and the importance of reporting these types of illegal actions,” said Trish Routte, Crime Stoppers Coordinator. “Implying violent acts on campus will not be tolerated and students should neither condone those actions nor protect so called friends who are writing the threats.”
Anyone with information on the person or persons responsible for this morning’s threats of violence at North Fort Myers High School is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-780-TIPS (8477). All callers will always remain anonymous and will be eligible for a cash reward of up to $3,000. Tips may also be made online at www.southwestfloridacrimestoppers.com or by submitting a tip on the P3Tips mobile app.
** UPDATE #1 **
In an attempt to identify the two suspects in Monday night’s car burglary spree in Lehigh Acres, enhanced photos of the suspects have been released.
Anyone with information on the identities and whereabouts of the suspects is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-780-TIPS (8477). All callers will remain anonymous and will be eligible for a cash reward of up to $3,000. Tips may also be made online at www.southwestfloridacrimestoppers.com or by submitting a tip on the P3Tips mobile app.
ORIGINAL PRESS RELEASE: JANUARY 1, 2019
Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers is asking for the public’s help identifying two suspects accused of breaking into at least nine vehicles late last night and early this morning in the Shadow Lakes community of Lehigh Acres.
According to detectives, the duo began their spree shortly before midnight, going from house to house in search of unlocked cars. Video surveillance cameras captured images of the suspects on two driveways, looking inside the parked vehicles and subsequently moving along once they realized the cars were locked. Numerous other vehicles they approached were unlocked, and had cash, electronics and other personal items stolen.
One of the males appeared to be wearing a dark hoodie, light grey sweatpants, slides and gloves. The second suspect wore a black hoodie, grey sweatpants, black sneakers and gloves. Anyone with information on the identities and whereabouts of the suspects is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-780-TIPS (8477). All callers will remain anonymous and will be eligible for a cash reward of up to $3,000. Tips may also be made online at www.southwestfloridacrimestoppers.comor by submitting a tip on the P3Tips mobile app.
Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers is asking for the public’s help tracking down a vehicle which is believed to be connected to a Lehigh Acres homicide.
Meenyus Miller, 19, was found murdered on Golfview Boulevard on Saturday, January 12th. Detectives believe the crime occurred sometime between the hours of 9 and 10 p.m. that evening. Over the course of the last two weeks, video of a vehicle which may be associated with the homicide has been tracked down. Crime Stoppers is hoping to secure information on who the small black vehicle belongs to, and why it may have been in the area of the homicide that night.
Anyone with information on the vehicle, or who may have been driving it, is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-780-TIPS (8477). All callers will remain anonymous and will be eligible for a cash reward of up to $3,000. Tips may also be made online at www.southwestfloridacrimestoppers.com or by submitting a tip on the P3Tips mobile app.
Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers is asking for the public’s help identifying and tracking down a male suspect accused of battering a senior citizen at a North Fort Myers McDonald’s last week.
The victim was at the McDonald’s, located at 3061 NE Pine Island Road, around 2:00 p.m. last Wednesday, Jan. 23rd. When he entered the restroom, he noticed someone was in the locked stall. The victim waited a few minutes, then knocked on the door, with no response. A few minutes later, the suspect exited the stall and began verbally berating the victim. The altercation quickly became physical, with the suspect punching the senior citizen in the face several times, causing him to fall to the ground. The suspect continued his attack by kicking the 68 year old in the rib cage several times, before leaving the restroom, and the restaurant. He was last spotted heading towards the rear of the Merchants Crossing shopping center on foot.
Surveillance cameras captured images of the suspect leaving the restaurant. Anyone who recognizes the man, or has any information on his whereabouts, is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-780-TIPS (8477). All callers will remain anonymous and will be eligible for a cash reward of up to $3,000. Tips may also be made online at www.southwestfloridacrimestoppers.com or by submitting a tip on the P3Tips mobile app. Upon his arrest, the suspect will be charged with battery on a person age 65 or older.
Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers is asking for the public’s help in trying to track down the person or persons responsible for a school shooting threat made at Estero High School earlier this week.
On Tuesday, Jan. 15th, a student at Estero High reported to her School Resource Officer that she’d seen a threat written on a handicapped bathroom stall in the building. The handwritten message stated “Shoot 2.1.19.” Investigators immediately began looking into the threat and trying to track down the student or students who were responsible for writing it. Several students were interviewed by detectives, however the person(s) responsible for making the threat is still unknown.
“The message has remained consistent that unsubstantiated school threats are not a joke and that every threat is taken very seriously. Consequences will accompany these actions,” said Trish Routte, Crime Stoppers Coordinator. “We are confident there are students at Estero High School, and in our community, who know exactly who wrote that threat. We encourage them to do the right thing and report what they know anonymously.”
Anyone who has information on the person who wrote that threat on the bathroom stall at Estero High School is asked to contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-780-TIPS (8477). All callers will remain anonymous and will be eligible for a cash reward of up to $3,000. Tips may also be made online at www.southwestfloridacrimestoppers.com or by submitting a tip on the P3Tips mobile app.
Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers is asking for the public’s help identifying and locating two males who burglarized a locked vehicle, and tried to break into a home, while the owners were out of town.
The victim and her husband left town on December 21st for the holidays and, before leaving, double checked that both their car vehicle and home’s shutters were locked and secured. When the couple returned to their Bells Street E. home in Lehigh on January 1st, they discovered their car had been ransacked and a window above their front door was broken. The unknown suspects managed to gain entry to the car by breaking the drivers side door. Once inside, the young men stole several hundred dollars worth of personal items. Although the criminal duo attempted to break into the home, the suspects were unsuccessful.
After reviewing the home’s surveillance video this week, images of two young men were captured between 9 and 10 p.m. on Saturday, December 29th. The suspects initially used what appears to be a hammer and tree trimmer cutters to pry open shutters at the rear of the home. Roughly an hour later, they were seen at the front of the home breaking into the car parked in the driveway.
Anyone with information on the identities and whereabouts of the suspects is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-780-TIPS (8477). All callers will remain anonymous and will be eligible for a cash reward of up to $3,000. Tips may also be made online at www.southwestfloridacrimestoppers.com or by submitting a tip on the P3Tips mobile app.
Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers is asking for the public’s help identifying and tracking down an armed suspect who robbed a Lehigh Acres check cashing store at gunpoint this afternoon.
The suspect entered the Advanced America check cashing store, located at 1119 Homestead Road N., just before 12:30 p.m. While displaying a firearm, the male demanded cash from the register. In fear for her life, the employee complied, and the man fled the store on foot with an undisclosed amount of cash. He is described as being between 50 and 55 years old, wearing a leather jacket and construction style sunglasses at the time of the robbery. Witnesses describe him as approximately 5’7” with a thin build.
Anyone with information on the identity and whereabouts of the suspect is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-780-TIPS (8477). All callers will remain anonymous and will be eligible for a cash reward of up to $3,000. Tips may also be made online at www.southwestfloridacrimestoppers.com or by submitting a tip on the P3Tips mobile app.
This afternoon, Wells Fargo extended an additional reward of up to $5,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the suspect or suspects responsible for the December 12th robbery in Lehigh Acres. This amount is in addition to Crime Stoppers reward money of up to $3,000.
Anyone with information on the suspect or suspects involved in bank robbery is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-780-TIPS (8477). All callers will remain anonymous and will be eligible for a cash reward of up to $3,000 from Crime Stoppers and up to $5,000 from Wells Fargo. Please note that the added reward money is for both the arrest and conviction. The Crime Stoppers reward is for the arrest only. Tips may also be made online at www.southwestfloridacrimestoppers.com or by submitting a tip on the P3Tips mobile app.
Around 2:44 p.m., a white or light skinned Hispanic male entered the Wells Fargo, located at 1130 Homestead Road N. The suspect approached a teller and held a gun in clear sight, while demanding all the cash from the drawer. The teller complied and the suspect fled with an undisclosed amount of cash.
Anyone with information on the identity and whereabouts of the suspect is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-780-TIPS (8477). All callers will remain anonymous and will be eligible for a cash reward of up to $3,000. Tips may also be made online at www.southwestfloridacrimestoppers.comor by submitting a tip on the P3Tips mobile app.
Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers is asking for the public’s help identifying two thieves who broke into a string of vehicles in a Lehigh Acres neighborhood.
Sometime in the overnight hours of late Thursday, December 6 and early morning on Friday, December 7, two unidentified suspects targeted unlocked vehicles in the 700 and 800 block of Rue Labeau Circle. Surveillance video shows the suspects exiting a vehicle and walking from car to car looking for unlocked vehicles. The suspects easily found several cars parked in driveways that afforded them easy access. The suspects proceeded to ransack each of the cars and remove various items, including cash, credit cards and a laptop.
Anyone with information on the identities of these suspects is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-780-TIPS (8477). All callers will remain anonymous and will be eligible for a cash reward of up to $3,000. Tips may also be made online at www.southwestfloridacrimestoppers.com or by submitting a tip on the P3Tips mobile app.
In the wake of several threats made at Lee County schools within the last few weeks, Crime Stoppers is asking students to help detectives by sharing any information they may have heard or witnessed – all while remaining anonymous.
The most recent threats occurred earlier this week at Lehigh Acres Middle School and Bonita Springs Middle School. On Monday night, December 10th, an unknown person messaged an online group stating “School Shooting LAMS”. Earlier in the day, school administrators found writing on the boys restroom wall at Bonita Springs Middle School which said “School Shooter Dec 12 or 13.” Detectives determined there to be no credible threat to students at either school, however investigations into both of these incidents, as well as previous school threats, are active.
“Students are very likely to have information on classmates who are responsible for making these threats at area schools, and Crime Stoppers really needs to hear from them,” said Trish Routte, Crime Stoppers Coordinator. “School threats are a very serious matter and withholding important information on them only enables and empowers the students who are responsible for these incidents. We hope that parents will talk to their teenagers about this topic and encourage them to do the right thing and say something if they know something.”
Anyone with information on any threat made at a local school is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-780-TIPS (8477). All callers will remain anonymous and will be eligible for a cash reward of up to $3,000. Tips may also be made online at www.southwestfloridacrimestoppers.com or by submitting a tip on the P3Tips mobile app.
Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers is asking for the public’s help identifying and tracking down three suspects who broke into a Lee County home in broad daylight last week.
The burglary occurred on Bermar Street just after 9 a.m. on Friday, November 30th. Surveillance cameras captured images of a male entering the home through a window on the west side of the house. Once inside the residence, he unlocked the front door and let two other individuals inside. Within a matter of minutes, the men went from room to room, removing several television sets, a laptop computer, an Xbox One gaming system, as well as other items. All three suspects wore gloves during the burglary.
Anyone with information on the identities of any of the three men are asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-780-TIPS (8477). All callers will remain anonymous and will be eligible for a cash reward of up to $3,000. Tips may also be made online at www.southwestfloridacrimestoppers.com or by submitting a tip on the P3Tips mobile app.
Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers is asking for the public’s help identifying a trio of thieves accused of breaking into at several cars in the Copper Oaks community early yesterday morning.
The incidents occurred along Tin Maple Drive in the early morning hours of Tuesday, December 4th. Detectives say multiple cars, most of which were unlocked, were entered, with wallets and personal identification stolen. In one incident, thieves smashed through a car window in pursuit of a wallet left on the right front seat. Shortly after the break-ins, three suspects were caught on camera trying to use one of the stolen cards at the nearby Wal Mart in Estero. Bank records show that the suspects attempted to use the card to purchase $633.88 in pre-paid phone cards, which was ultimately declined by the bank. The young men are also accused of prying open the door of another vehicle to pop the lock and enter the car. Credit cards were stolen from that incident, however have not been used as of this time.
Detectives believe the suspects from yesterday morning’s spree are also connected with multiple other burglary cases over the last week in the Estero area. They are also believed to be driving in a dark colored sedan.
Anyone with information on the identities and whereabouts of the suspects are asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-780-TIPS (8477). All callers will remain anonymous and will be eligible for a cash reward of up to $3,000. Tips may also be made online at www.southwestfloridacrimestoppers.com or by submitting a tip on the P3Tips mobile app.
Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers is asking for the public’s help identifying two unknown suspects who broke into at least six cars Saturday night, and stole two cars, as well.
In the overnight hours of Saturday, December 1st, unknown suspects burglarized a minimum of six cars in the Colonial Walk gated community. Each one of the cars targeted were left unlocked, with a list of personal items stolen. In addition to the break-ins, two cars were stolen outright after spare keys were left inside the unlocked vehicles. Neither of the two stolen cars have been located at this time.
“Criminals are constantly looking for easy prey, and unlocked vehicles are a prime target,” said Trish Routte, Crime Stoppers Coordinator. “Residents may feel that because they live in a gated community that they are immune to crime and may let their guard down. No matter where you live, you should always take precautions and take the quick step of locking your car doors every night and every time.”
Security cameras from one of the victims captured images of two suspects rummaging through a car. Anyone with information on the identities and whereabouts of any suspect is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-780-TIPS (8477). All callers will remain anonymous and will be eligible for a cash reward of up to $3,000. Tips may also be made online at www.southwestfloridacrimestoppers.com or by submitting a tip on the P3Tips mobile app.
Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers is asking for the public’s help identifying a man who swiped someone else’s property from a luggage belt at Southwest Florida International Airport last week.
The suspect was in the baggage claim area last Wednesday, November 21st around 4 p.m. when Lee County Port Authority detectives say he grabbed a bag from the belt and raced towards a waiting car. Surveillance cameras captured images of the man meeting up with an unknown woman and loading the stolen luggage into a maroon sedan.
Anyone with information on the identity and whereabouts of the suspect is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-780-TIPS (8477). All callers will remain anonymous and will be eligible for a cash reward of up to $3,000. Tips may also be made online at www.southwestfloridacrimestoppers.com or by submitting a tip on the P3Tips mobile app.
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