Chamber Officer of the year: Capt. Ed Tamayo prepares to present an award to Lee County Sheriff’s Cpl. Roman Serrano for his work that led to the shutdown of a theft right of appliances in the county. Photo by MEL TOADVINE

One of the highlights of the recent monthly Lehigh Acres Chamber of Commerce meeting was the presentation of an award to Cpl. Roman Serrano of the Lee County Sheriff’s Office for his stopping of a Nissan Pathfinder that ran a school bus stop sign on Gunnery Rd. two weeks ago.

While traffic stops are normal for deputies, this one helped to solve a major theft ring of appliances that were being stolen from empty houses all over Lee County, said Capt. Ed Tamayo in presenting the award before the Chamber audience on Feb. 22.

That traffic stop on Feb. 4 brought about the detection of several appliances in the rear of the vehicle and while the suspect was trying to make up a story to cover himself that he was handling the appliances for a Realtor, Cpl. Serrano’s suspicions were not satisfied until he called the real estate agent.

Then Serrano called for detectives who determined through investigation that a burglary had occurred at 3825 23rd St. SW, and appliances were stolen, Tamayo said. As a result the suspect, Eric Allen Downey, was charged with one count of burglary to a dwelling and one count of grand theft.

But that arrest set in motion an extensive investigation conducted by detectives of Lehigh’s Bravo District.

Joe Pearson Member of the Month. Joe Pearson, left, Sunshine Savings was recognized by the Lehigh Acres Chamber of Commerce as the Member of the Month by Joe Whalen, the Chamber’s president. Photo by MEL TOADVINE

As a result of this two-week investigation on Feb. 12, investigators obtained a search warrant and entered Salguera’s Appliances on Gunnery Rd. and discovered 182 appliances totaling nearly $130,000 in value, Tamayo said.

Every type of new appliance was in the back of the store and included refrigerators, washers, dryers, stoves, kitchen sinks, counter tops, bathtubs, doors, windows and microwaves. Everything was loaded and taken for evidence and processed.

Tamayo said there has been a drastic decrease of thefts since the ring was broken. It took several trucks to transport the items to the Sheriff’s Office Evidence Facility for processing, he said.

“We are hopeful the operation will provide closure to more than 100 cases countywide, involving the Sheriff’s Office, Fort Myers Police and Cape Coral Police.

“Due to Cpl. Serrano’s strong investigative mind, he precipitated this very successful operation,” Tamayo said. As a result, four people were arrested including Roberto Salguera, charged with four counts of dealing in stolen property; Maria A Tenorio, charged with four counts of dealing in stolen property; Matthew Vincent Bond, charged with one count of burglary to a dwelling, one count of larceny theft and one count of dealing in stolen property; and Eric Allen Downey, charged with two counts of burglary to a dwelling, two counts of larceny theft and one count of dealing in stolen property.

Member of the Month Belinda Ogle: Belinda Ogle, left, was also named Member of the Month at the February Chamber meeting by Joe Whalen, right, the Chamber’s president. Photo by MEL TOADVINE

Joe Whalen, the president and CEO of the Lehigh Acres Chamber of Commerce, also made awards to Joe Pearson of Sunshine Savings and Belinda Ogle of Affordable Cleaning Service of Lee County, as Members of the Month.

Several new Chamber members were welcomed to the luncheon and Whalen noted the Chamber’s Saturday, March 13 Annual Spring Golf Tournament, saying sponsors were still needed. It will be held at the Majestic Golf Club at 350 Homestead Rd. The next monthly luncheon will be March 29.