MEL TOADVINE Officer of the Month: Detective Michael Milano, center, was honored by the Lehigh Acres Chamber of Commerce last week. He was presented the award by at left, Joe Whalen, CEO and president of the Chamber, and at right. Lt. James Loethen. His actions have led to the discovery of many household items stolen from homes in Lehigh. The suspect is still at large.

Detective Michael Milano was honored by the Lehigh Acres Chamber of Commerce last week during the Chamber’s monthly luncheon. Nominated by Capt. James Leavens, the local commander, it was presented to Milano jointly by Chamber CEO and president, Joe Whalen and Sherrif’s Lt. James Loethen.

Loethen told the Chamber audience that because of Milano’s quick actions, a major theft ring of house burglaries has likely been solved

However, the suspect and his accomplice are still at large and there is a search for the pair, a white man and a black man, who were driving a black SUV with a gold stripe. A person in the neighborhood saw the vehicle and gave descriptions of the the black male and the white male passenger.

According to Loethen, on Nov. 13 at around 12:43 p.m., the Sheriff’s Office received a call about a burglary alarm activation at 705 Grant Ave. in Lehigh.

Detective Milano was in the area and responded and confirmed that the house had been burglarized.

He obtained a list of stolen property and developed a witness in the neighborhood who described the SUV and the two men inside.

The suspect vehicle matches the description of a vehicle that has been connected to numerous Lehigh residential burglaries over the past few weeks, Loethen said.

While searching the area, Milano saw the suspect vehicle and attempted a traffic stop, but the driver and vehicle fled the area. Milano continued to search the area and eventually relocated the vehicle , only this time it was abandoned.

Loethen said several items were found in the vehicle that matched the description of the property stolen at 705 Grant Ave.

Loethen said the vehicle is registered to Derrick Ned.

He said the vehicle and property were seized and Milano assembled a photo line-up to the witness who positively identified Ned as the driver of the suspect vehicle.

Milano later served search warrants on both Ned’s vehicle and house that will connect him to numerous Lehigh residential burglaries, Loethen said.

Capt. James Leavens, the Bravo District commander, said in a letter of nomination, that due to the vehicle description and method of operation of recent burglaries in Lehigh that Bravo District detectives have been investigating, they are optimistic that a large number of these burglaries will be solved with Ned being the perpetrator. A warrant is out for his arrest.

There is an open booking sheet for Ned’s arrest and Leavens wrote that detectives are confident that when he is apprehended and interviewed, an undetermined amount of Lehigh residential burglaries will have been solved.

Detective Milano was given a rousing round of applause as he accepted the award from the Chamber and from Lt. Loethen.

If you know the whereabouts of the man who is wanted, you are encouraged to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-780-TIPS. You will remain anonymous and if your information leads to the apprehension of Ned, you can collect a reward of up to $1,000.