capepd

[capepd]

Bomb Threat Update from Cape Coral Police Department on Vimeo.

Greenberg updates reported bomb threat

[capepd]

Pedestrian Dies After Being Struck by Vehicle

(August 30, 2022) - On August 29, 2022 at approximately 10:06 p.m. Officers from the Cape Coral Police Department responded to a vehicle versus a pedestrian traffic accident at the intersection of Cape Coral Parkway East/ Palm Tree Boulevard. Major Crash Investigators responded to the scene. The synopsis of the crash from the Major Crash Investigator is as follows:

DATE: August 29, 2022

TIME:  10:06 p.m.

LOCATION: Cape Coral Pkwy E/Palm Tree Blvd

CR#:  22-019660

ASSIGNED MCI: Ofc. Barkley         

VEHICLE 1: 2013 Honda Accord

VEHICLE 1 DRIVER: Roseann Castaldo, DOB 06/02/1956 of Cape Coral.

VEHICLE 1 DRIVER INJURIES: Castaldo suffered no injuries in the crash.

VEHICLE 1 PASSENGER: Deanna Castaldo, DOB 01/18/1995 of Cape Coral.

VEHICLE 1 PASSENGER INJURIES: Castaldo suffered no injuries in the crash.

 PEDESTRIAN 1: Jacqueline  Oliver, DOB 12/26/1990, Transient.

PEDESTRIAN 1 INJURIES: Oliver suffered fatal injuries as a result of the crash.  

SYNOPSIS:

Vehicle 1 was traveling east on Cape Coral Pkwy E in the center travel lane approximately 140 feet west of Palm Tree Blvd. Vehicle 1’s light was green as it was approaching the intersection.

Pedestrian 1 was crossing Cape Coral Pkwy from the north heading South across the travel lanes. Pedestrian 1 was not within a crosswalk, and was not wearing reflective clothing.   

Vehicle 1 struck Pedestrian 1 with the right corner of the front bumper. Pedestrian 1 was thrown onto the vehicle where she struck her head on the windshield.

Vehicle 1 came to a final rest at the stop bar in the center travel lane facing east, on the west side of the intersection. Pedestrian 1 came to a final rest near front passenger side of Vehicle 1.

Pedestrian 1 was transported to Gulf Coast Hospital by LCEMS where she was later pronounced deceased.

Alcohol/drugs ARE NOT a factor for the driver of Vehicle 1. Alcohol/Drugs are an UNKNOWN factor at this time for Pedestrian 1. Speed is NOT a factor in this crash. Next-of-kin HAVE been notified.

The Traffic Homicide Unit deployed the Leica RTC360 scanner and laser mapped the scene of the incident.

If you witnessed this traffic crash or have information about this traffic crash, please contact the Cape Coral Police Department by calling 239-574-3223, submitting an anonymous tip at www.capecops.com/tips, https://new.tipsubmit.com/en/create-report/anonymous , sending us a message through our social media platforms or calling Crime stoppers at 1-800-780-TIPS. Please use the Case Report # 22-019660.

 ***There are 7 traffic fatalities and 22 MCI usages in our city in 2022. (DOES NOT INCLUDE 0 fatality ruled "medical" (i.e. cause of death not related to traffic crash injuries)).

2022= 7 Traffic fatalities, 2 DUI related (22 MCI usages)(DOES NOT INCLUDE 0 medical ruled death)

2021= 12 Traffic fatalities, 5 DUI related (44 MCI usages)(DOES NOT INCLUDE 3 medical ruled death)

2020= 19 Traffic fatalities, 7 DUI related (54 MCI usages)(DOES NOT INCLUDE 1 medical ruled death)

2019= 16 Traffic fatalities, 8 DUI related (39 MCI usages)(DOES NOT INCLUDE 2 medical ruled deaths)

2018= 10 Traffic fatalities, 3 DUI related (30 MCI usages)(DOES NOT INCLUDE 3 medical ruled deaths)

 ###

CAPE CORAL POLICE DEPARTMENT | Public Affairs Office | 1100 Cultural Park Boulevard | Cape Coral, FL 33990 | [phone]

#News release #fatal

[capepd]

Aggressive Driving Enforcement Results for August 23rd, 2022

(August 24, 2022)- The Cape Coral Police Department conducted a grant-funded traffic saturation operation on August 23rd, 2022, targeting aggressive driving. Funding was provided by the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) and its Aggressive Driving grant. This operation was conducted citywide and resulted in seventy-two citations (twenty-nine for violating a traffic control or signal device). No drivers stopped were found without a seatbelt, and we thank the motoring public for always wearing their seatbelts.

The detailed results are as follows:

OPERATION TIME: 1:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. TOTAL TRAFFIC STOPS: 77 WARNINGS: 21 SPEED CITATIONS: 19 SEATBELT CITATIONS: 0 MOVING CITATIONS: 56 NON-MOVING CITATIONS: 12 VIOLATION OF TRAFFIC CONTROL/SIGNAL DEVICE: 29 OPEN CONTAINER (DRIVER): 0 OPEN CONTAINER (PASSENGER): 0 .02 VIOLATION: 0 CRIMINAL CITATIONS: 4 CITATIONS (TOTAL): 72 DUI ARRESTS: 0 ARRESTS (OTHER): 3 (traffic)

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CAPE CORAL POLICE DEPARTMENT | Public Affairs Office | 1100 Cultural Park Boulevard | Cape Coral, FL 33990 | [phone]

#aggressive driving #traffic enforcement

[capepd]

Results of August 20th, 2022 DUI Enforcement Operation

(August 22, 2022) - The Cape Coral Police Department conducted a grant-funded DUI enforcement operation on August 20th, 2022, targeting impaired driving. Funding was provided by the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT). This operation was conducted citywide and resulted in fifty citations (twenty-seven for violating a traffic control or signal device). No drivers stopped were found without a seatbelt, and we thank the motoring public for always wearing their seatbelts.

The detailed results are as follows:

OPERATION TIME: 8:00 p.m. - 3:00 a.m.

TOTAL TRAFFIC STOPS: 66 WARNINGS: 26 SPEED CITATIONS: 10 SEATBELT CITATIONS: 0 MOVING CITATIONS: 43 NON-MOVING CITATIONS: 5 VIOLATION OF TRAFFIC CONTROL/SIGNAL DEVICE: 27 OPEN CONTAINER (DRIVER): 0 OPEN CONTAINER (PASSENGER): 0 .02 VIOLATION: 0 CRIMINAL CITATIONS: 2 CITATIONS (TOTAL): 50 DUI ARRESTS: 0 ARRESTS (OTHER): 2 (traffic)

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CAPE CORAL POLICE DEPARTMENT | Public Affairs Office | 1100 Cultural Park Boulevard | Cape Coral, FL 33990 | [phone]

#DUI enforcement #traffic stop

[capepd]

DUI Enforcement Operation to be Conducted August 20th, 2022

(August 20, 2022) - The Cape Coral Police Department will be conducting a DUI enforcement operation today, August 20th, 2022. This is part of our continuing effort to increase traffic safety awareness through education and enforcement. The mission of these operations is to help reduce traffic crashes, injuries, and deaths on our roadways in Cape Coral.

This DUI enforcement operation will be conducted by Patrol and Traffic officers from several jurisdictions. This operation will be citywide.

The primary focus of this operation will be placed on criminal violations such as DUI and reckless driving. Officers will also be focusing on moving violations such as speeding, red-light, and stop sign violations, as well as aggressive driving. Visible enforcement increases awareness, encourages motorists to obey traffic laws, and reduces crashes. The Cape Coral Police Department encourages you to drive courteously and reminds you to obey the rules of the road. If you are impaired, please use a designated driver, rideshare app, or taxi to avoid the costly fines of a DUI arrest. ***Please note that the Supreme Court ruled that law enforcement must announce to the public when the checkpoints will be conducted. The publicity is a protection of your rights; in any case, the checkpoint will do its job and keep drunk drivers off the road, either through arrest or deterrence.***

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CAPE CORAL POLICE DEPARTMENT | Public Affairs Office | 1100 Cultural Park Boulevard | Cape Coral, FL 33990 | [phone]

[capepd]

Female Arrested for Rummaging Through a Vehicle

(August 2, 2022)- On August 1, 2022, at approximately 09:08 p.m. officers from the Cape Coral Police Department responded to a call for service in reference to a burglary in progress at 2481 Del Prado Blvd North (Beef O’ Brady’s). It was alleged that a person was breaking into a vehicle in the parking lot.

The owner of the vehicle exited Beef O’ Brady’s and noticed the driver’s side door to the vehicle was ajar. The owner was startled to find a person inside the vehicle. This person was later identified as Audra Marie Schwalm (W/F 08-07-1971, Transient) who was seated in the driver’s seat of the vehicle and was rummaging through the glove box. Ms. Schwalm, when confronted, had cash in her hands that she had just taken from the vehicle. The owner did not allow her to exit the vehicle to flee, officers arrived at the scene and Ms. Schwalm was immediately detained.

The investigation revealed that the vehicle was left unlocked which allowed Ms. Schwalm to make entry.

Ms. Schwalm refused to identify herself to officers and once transported to Lee County Jail her fingerprints were used to identify her.

Ms. Schwalm was charged with the following:

* Burglary of a Conveyance F.S.S. 810.02(4)(b).

*Resisting without Violence F.S.S. 843.02.

* Petit Theft F.S.S. 812.014(3)(a).

ARRESTED: Audra Marie Schwalm (W/F 08-07-1971, Transient)

CHARGES:

* Burglary of a Conveyance F.S.S. 810.02(4)(b).

*Resisting without Violence F.S.S. 843.02.

* Petit Theft F.S.S. 812.014(3)(a).

###

CAPE CORAL POLICE DEPARTMENT | Public Affairs Office | 1100 Cultural Park Boulevard | Cape Coral, FL 33990 | [phone]

#burglary

[capepd]

Aggressive Driving Enforcement Results for August 1st, 2022

(August 2, 2022)- The Cape Coral Police Department conducted a grant-funded traffic saturation operation on August 1st, 2022, specifically targeting aggressive driving. Funding was provided by the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) and its Aggressive Driving grant. This operation was conducted citywide and resulted in seventy-one citations (forty-three of those for violating a traffic control or signal device). Two drivers were cited for a seatbelt violation. Please remember to always wear your seatbelt!

The detailed results are as follows:

OPERATION TIME: 7:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. TOTAL TRAFFIC STOPS: 81 WARNINGS: 22 SPEED CITATIONS: 16 SEATBELT CITATIONS: 2 MOVING CITATIONS: 63 NON-MOVING CITATIONS: 6 VIOLATION OF TRAFFIC CONTROL/SIGNAL DEVICE: 43 OPEN CONTAINER (DRIVER): 0 OPEN CONTAINER (PASSENGER): 0 .02 VIOLATION: 0 CRIMINAL CITATIONS: 2 CITATIONS (TOTAL): 46 DUI ARRESTS: 0 ARRESTS (OTHER): 2 (traffic)

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CAPE CORAL POLICE DEPARTMENT | Public Affairs Office | 1100 Cultural Park Boulevard | Cape Coral, FL 33990 | [phone]

#traffic stop #aggressive driving

[capepd]

Operation Southern Slow Down Results For July 21st, 2022

(July 22, 2022)- The Cape Coral Police Department conducted part one of a grant-funded traffic saturation operation on July 21st, 2022, in reference to “Operation Southern Slow Down”. Funding was provided by the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) and its Aggressive Driving grant. This operation was conducted citywide and resulted in ninety-eight citations (fifty-one of those for violating a traffic control or signal device). No drivers were cited for a seatbelt violation. Please remember to always wear your seatbelt!

The detailed results are as follows:

OPERATION TIME: 11:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. TOTAL TRAFFIC STOPS: 116 WARNINGS: 27 SPEED CITATIONS: 38 SEATBELT CITATIONS: 0 MOVING CITATIONS: 87 NON-MOVING CITATIONS: 6 VIOLATION OF TRAFFIC CONTROL/SIGNAL DEVICE: 51 OPEN CONTAINER (DRIVER): 0 OPEN CONTAINER (PASSENGER): 0 .02 VIOLATION: 0 CRIMINAL CITATIONS: 2 CITATIONS (TOTAL): 98 DUI ARRESTS: 0 ARRESTS (OTHER): 02 (traffic)

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CAPE CORAL POLICE DEPARTMENT | Public Affairs Office | 1100 Cultural Park Boulevard | Cape Coral, FL 33990 | [phone]

[capepd]

Aggressive Driving Enforcement Results for June 30th, 2022

(July 1, 2022)- The Cape Coral Police Department conducted a grant-funded traffic saturation operation on June 30th, 2022, specifically targeting aggressive driving. Funding was provided by the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) and its Aggressive Driving grant. This operation was conducted citywide and resulted in forty-six citations (twenty-three of those for violating a traffic control or signal device). No drivers stopped were found without a seatbelt, and we thank the motoring public for always wearing their seatbelts.

The detailed results are as follows:

OPERATION TIME: 1:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. TOTAL TRAFFIC STOPS: 52 WARNINGS: 12 SPEED CITATIONS: 16 SEATBELT CITATIONS: 0 MOVING CITATIONS: 42 NON-MOVING CITATIONS: 3 VIOLATION OF TRAFFIC CONTROL/SIGNAL DEVICE: 23 OPEN CONTAINER (DRIVER): 0 OPEN CONTAINER (PASSENGER): 0 .02 VIOLATION: 0 CRIMINAL CITATIONS: 2 CITATIONS (TOTAL): 46 DUI ARRESTS: 0 ARRESTS (OTHER): 2 (traffic)

###

CAPE CORAL POLICE DEPARTMENT | Public Affairs Office | 1100 Cultural Park Boulevard | Cape Coral, FL 33990 | [phone]

#aggressive driving #traffic stops

[capepd]

Traffic Stop Leads to Narcotics Arrest

(June 14, 2022)- On June 11, 2022, an officer from the Cape Coral Police Department initiated a traffic stop on a vehicle for several traffic infractions at 2200-Block of Del Prado Blvd South in Cape Coral, Lee County, Florida. 

Contact was made with Vanessa Rovira (W/F 07-28-1985, 3708 SE 9th Place) who was the driver and sole occupant of this vehicle. While Ms. Rovira was retrieving her license, registration, and proof of insurance the officer was able to see in plain view a smokey glass cylindrical pipe with a white powdery substance sitting in the center console. Next to the glass pipe was a white powdery substance in a small plastic baggie.

The investigation revealed that Ms. Rovira claimed ownership of the baggie that tested positive for suspect cocaine and a glass pipe used as drug paraphernalia. Search incident to arrest several more plastic baggies were located on her person which was later identified as suspect fentanyl and mannitol, which is used as a cutting agent for fentanyl. Numerous other drug paraphernalia, scales, plastic baggies, and other items were in Ms. Rovira’s purse and vehicle. It was also learned that Ms. Rovira had an active failure to appear warrant for a misdemeanor charge of possession of drug paraphernalia.

Ms. Rovira was subsequently transported to Lee County Jail.

Ms. Rovira was charged with the following:

* Possession of Fentanyl with Intent to Sell, F.S.S. 893.13(1)(a)(1).

* Possession of Marijuana with Intent to Sell, F.S.S. 893.13(1)(a)(2).

*Possession of a Controlled Substance (Fentanyl) F.S.S. 893.13(6)(a).

*Possession of a Controlled Substance (Oxycodone Hydrochloride) F.S.S. 893.13(6)(a).

*Possession of Drug Paraphernalia F.S.S. 893.147(1).

*Failure to Appear Warrant F.S.S. 843.15 (1)(b).

ARRESTED: Vanessa Rovira (W/F 07-28-1985, 3708 SE 9th Place). 

CHARGES:

* Possession of Fentanyl with Intent to Sell, F.S.S. 893.13(1)(a)(1).

* Possession of Marijuana with Intent to Sell, F.S.S. 893.13(1)(a)(2).

*Possession of a Controlled Substance (Fentanyl) F.S.S. 893.13(6)(a). 

*Possession of a Controlled Substance (Oxycodone Hydrochloride) F.S.S. 893.13(6)(a). 

*Possession of Drug Paraphernalia F.S.S. 893.147(1). 

*Failure to Appear Warrant F.S.S. 843.15 (1)(b).

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CAPE CORAL POLICE DEPARTMENT | Public Affairs Office | 1100 Cultural Park Boulevard | Cape Coral, FL 33990 | [phone]

#Fentanyl #traffic stop

[capepd]

Aggressive Driving Enforcement Results for June 13th, 2022

(June 13, 2022)- The Cape Coral Police Department conducted a grant-funded traffic saturation operation on June 13th, 2022, specifically targeting aggressive driving. Funding was provided by the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) and its Aggressive Driving grant. This operation was conducted citywide and resulted in fifty-eight citations ( thirty-one of those for violating a traffic control or signal device). Two drivers were cited for a seatbelt violation, and please remember always to wear your seatbelt.

The detailed results are as follows:

OPERATION TIME: 7:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. TOTAL TRAFFIC STOPS: 69 WARNINGS: 14 SPEED CITATIONS: 18 SEATBELT CITATIONS: 2 MOVING CITATIONS: 52 NON-MOVING CITATIONS: 6 VIOLATION OF TRAFFIC CONTROL/SIGNAL DEVICE: 31 OPEN CONTAINER (DRIVER): 0 OPEN CONTAINER (PASSENGER): 0 .02 VIOLATION: 0 CRIMINAL CITATIONS: 0 CITATIONS (TOTAL): 58 DUI ARRESTS: 0 ARRESTS (OTHER): 0

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CAPE CORAL POLICE DEPARTMENT | Public Affairs Office | 1100 Cultural Park Boulevard | Cape Coral, FL 33990 | [phone]

#aggressive driving #traffic enforcement

[capepd]

DUI Enforcement Operation to be Conducted May 20th, 2022

(May 19, 2022) - The Cape Coral Police Department will be conducting a DUI enforcement operation tomorrow, May 20th, 2022. This is part of our continuing effort to increase traffic safety awareness through education and enforcement. The mission of these operations is to help reduce traffic crashes, injuries, and deaths on our roadways in Cape Coral.

This DUI enforcement operation will be conducted by Patrol and Traffic officers from several jurisdictions. This operation will be citywide.

The primary focus of this operation will be placed on criminal violations such as DUI and reckless driving. Officers will also be focusing on moving violations such as speeding, red-light, and stop sign violations, as well as aggressive driving. Visible enforcement increases awareness, encourages motorists to obey traffic laws, and reduces crashes. The Cape Coral Police Department encourages you to drive courteously and reminds you to obey the rules of the road. If you are impaired, please use a designated driver, rideshare app, or taxi to avoid the costly fines of a DUI arrest. ***Please note that the Supreme Court ruled that law enforcement must announce to the public when the checkpoints will be conducted. The publicity is a protection of your rights; in any case, the checkpoint will do its job and keep drunk drivers off the road, either through arrest or deterrence.***

###

CAPE CORAL POLICE DEPARTMENT | Public Affairs Office | 1100 Cultural Park Boulevard | Cape Coral, FL 33990 | [phone]

#DUI enforcement #aggressive driving #traffic enforcement

[capepd]

Fleeing Robber Arrested

(May 16, 2022)- On May 15, 2022, Cape Coral Police officers responded to a call for service in reference to a robbery at 1526 Chiquita Blvd S (7-Eleven) where it was alleged that a male suspect demanded money from the store clerk before exiting the store then fleeing the parking lot in a vehicle.

Responding officers arrived on the scene and spoke to the store clerk and other witnesses who confirmed that a male later identified as John Douglas Smith (W/M 5-22-1996) barreled through the front doors of the store and demanded money before going behind the counter and in a hostile rant confronting the store employee. Mr. Smith saw that other patrons were calling 911 and he immediately fled the store in a silver in color Honda 4-door.

A responding officer was able to locate this suspect vehicle in the immediate area as described with the same license plate number one of the witnesses provided. In a fully marked and equipped Cape Coral Police Department police vehicle a traffic stop was attempted on this suspect vehicle. This vehicle proceeded and continue to drive disregarding the police vehicles overhead with red and blue lights and sirens.A tire deflation device was utilized, and the suspect vehicle eventually came to a final stop on Interstate 75 near mile marker 151, with the help of the Charlotte County Sheriffs' Office Mr. Smith was apprehended without further issue. Mr. Smith continued to act manic while in custody and made threats to shoot an investigating officer in the head. Mr. Smith is currently on probation and supervised release status for the offense of a previous robbery. Mr. Smith was transported to the Lee County Jail.

Mr. Smith was charged with the following:

*Robbery- No Firearm or Weapon F.S.S. 812.13(2)(c).

* Flee/Elude Police-Flee Elude LEO with Light Siren Active F.S.S.316.1935(2).

*Intimidation-Threat with Death Serious Bodily Harm LEO F.S.S. 836.12(2).

* Violation of Probation F.S.S. 948.06.

ARRESTED: John Douglas Smith (W/M 5-22-1996, 2237 SW 15th Ave).

CHARGES:

*Robbery- No Firearm or Weapon F.S.S. 812.13(2)(c).

* Flee/Elude Police-Flee Elude LEO with Light Siren Active F.S.S.316.1935(2).

*Intimidation-Threat with Death Serious Bodily Harm LEO F.S.S. 836.12(2).

* Violation of Probation F.S.S. 948.06.

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CAPE CORAL POLICE DEPARTMENT | Public Affairs Office | 1100 Cultural Park Boulevard | Cape Coral, FL 33990 | (239) 242-334

#Fleeing to Elude #robbery

[capepd]

National Police Week 2022: Honoring And Remembering Our Fallen Law Enforcement Officers

(May 13, 2022) - Again this year, communities across the United States will honor and remember those law enforcement officers who made the ultimate sacrifice, as well as the family members, friends and fellow officers they left behind.

This year, the names of 619 officers killed in the line of duty (319 fatalities were COVID-19-related) are being added to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, DC. These 619 officers include 472 officers who were killed during 2021, plus 147 officers who died in previous years, but whose stories of sacrifice had been lost to history until now.

The names of all 619 fallen officers nationwide will be formally dedicated during the 34th Annual Candlelight Vigil to be held on the National Mall in Washington, DC, at 8:00 pm EDT on May 13, 2022. For more information and to register for the Candlelight Vigil, go to NLEOMF.org/RegisterCV.  

 For more information about National Police Week, please visit https://nleomf.org/policeweek.

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CAPE CORAL POLICE DEPARTMENT | Public Affairs Office | 1100 Cultural Park Boulevard | Cape Coral, FL 33990 | [phone]

#National Police Week #fallen officers

[capepd]

Officer Awarded Life Saving Award

(May 11, 2022) - Please join us in congratulating Cape Coral Police Officer Frank Scarlato on receiving a Lifesaving Award, one of the Department’s highest honors.

From Lieutenant Patrick O’Grady’s nomination:

On March 25, 2022, around 2:55 pm, Officer Frank Scarlato responded to a disturbance involving a 12-year-old who was out of control. While Officer Scarlato was in route to the

residence, the juvenile armed himself with a knife and then put the knife down. The male went to the rear of the house and broke out the sliding glass door. The scene was chaotic. The juvenile went to the front of the residence and broke a front window and cut himself. The Grandmother was crying for help and very scared. Officer Scarlato arrived on the scene and saw the juvenile had lost a lot of blood. Officer Scarlato remained calm during the situation and applied a tourniquet to stop the bleeding.

Had Officer Scarlato not remained calm and applied a tourniquet when he did, this could have ended in tragedy.

For this reason, Officer Scarlato received the Lifesaving Award on behalf of Chief Anthony Sizemore, Deputy Chief Michael Catania, and Deputy Chief Darren Mckenna.

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CAPE CORAL POLICE DEPARTMENT | Public Affairs Office | 1100 Cultural Park Boulevard | Cape Coral, FL 33990 | [phone]

#lifesaving

[capepd]

Three Officers Awarded Life Saving Award

(May 10, 2022) - Please join us in congratulating Cape Coral Police Officers Kelvis Rodriguez, Officer Robert Cantrell, and K9 Officer Brian Aponte on receiving the Lifesaving Award, one of the Department’s highest honors.

 From Sergeant Philip Mullen’s nomination:

On April 16th, 2022, at approximately 5:20 p.m. Officer Kelvis Rodriguez and Officer Robert Cantrell were the first to arrive at a shooting call (22-008917) where a victim had suffered multiple gunshot wounds. The officers found the victim just inside the front door bleeding heavily with a gunshot wound to the neck as well as two to the abdomen. Officer Rodriguez immediately began lifesaving wound care while Officer Cantrell cleared the residence. Officer Cantrell returned to the patient once the house was deemed safe, grabbing towels from the kitchen to help stop the bleeding. K9 Officer Brian Aponte arrived, and all three officers then provided critical wound care and encouraged the victim to remain conscious and stay positive, continuing to do so until medics could arrive to transport.

Despite the extremely serious nature of the victim's injuries, the actions of these officers kept the victim alive, and the victim is expected to survive as of the writing of this nomination. These Officers acted without hesitation to save the victim’s life and are highly deserving of the Department's Lifesaving Award.

For this reason, Officers Kelvis Rodriguez, Officer Robert Cantrell, and K9 Officer Brian Aponte received the Lifesaving Award on behalf of Chief Anthony Sizemore, Deputy Chief Michael Catania, and Deputy Chief Darren Mckenna.

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CAPE CORAL POLICE DEPARTMENT | Public Affairs Office | 1100 Cultural Park Boulevard | Cape Coral, FL 33990 | [phone]

#lifesavingaward

[capepd]

Online Video Game Threats Lead to Arrest

(May 10, 2022)- On March 19th, 2022, Cape Coral Police Department’s Oasis Middle School Resource Officer and Oasis Middle School administration received an alert regarding a voicemail threat against Oasis Middle School. The alert claimed to be a student who attends the school, and this alert went on to explain that this student was armed with AR-15s and multiple guns. The threat said that on March 30th, 2022, a bomb threat would occur along with a “suicide vest”. The threat explained that this student would show up to the school with M16s and would throw pipe bombs through classroom windows.

Cape Coral Police Department’s Major Crimes Unit detectives lead this investigation and were able to determine these threats were fictitious and occurred over an online first-person shooting game. The suspect was able to be identified after a complex investigation as Jacob John Zacarias (W/M 05-06-2005, 164 Coral Road, Islamorada, FL). Mr. Zacarias got upset over allegations of infidelity and then plotted a plan to ruin this student who attends Oasis Middle School’s life and reputation.

Contact was made at Mr. Zacarias’s residence by Monroe County Sheriff’s Office who through their investigation were able to receive a full confession by Mr. Zacarias who admitted to all these threats. Through the combined efforts of the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, Cape Coral Police Department Major Crimes Unit submitted a warrant request which was approved, and Mr. Zacarias was then subsequently placed under arrest by the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office at his current location for these threats. 

Mr. Zacarias was charged with the following:

*Written Electronic Threats to Kill, Do Bodily Injury, Or Conduct a Mass Shooting F.S.S. 836.10(2)(b). 

* Planting of “Hoax Bomb” F.S.S. 790.0165(2).

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CAPE CORAL POLICE DEPARTMENT | Public Affairs Office | 1100 Cultural Park Boulevard | Cape Coral, FL 33990 | [phone]

#Threat to Conduct Mass Shooting