Detective Daniel Bray, left, was one of two detectives honored at the Chamber of Commerce luncheon last week. The other detective, not shown, is Det. Christopher Stoddard. At right is Capt. Tamayo explaining reasons the Chamber was honoring the two men. Go to cu.lehighacrescitizen.com to see more photos. Photo by Mel Toadvine ART-

Capt. Ed Tamayo told a gathering of members of the Lehigh Acres Chamber of Commerce that to detectives at Brava District in Lehigh deserved recognition for their outstanding work regarding a burglary that brought about arrests of suspects charged with theft of appliances, a crime that has plagued Lehigh since the construction boom.

Detectives Daniel bray and Christopher Stoddard were involved in an extensive investigation which brought several arrests.

The case involved the help of Brava CID and Brava SET and also undercover detectives from the narcotics section

Tamayo said the investigation involved intensive surveillance and operational and covert police work by the these detectives.

With warrants, detectives conducted a search and recovered 182 appliances totaling near $130,000 at a site on Gunnery Rd. S. recently.

Amy Davies gives a presentation last week to the Lehigh Acres Chamber of Commerce. Photo by Mel Toadvine

Deputies loaded all the stolen items including all types of appliances into box trucks which were taken to the Evidence Facility for processing. He said the operation is providing closure to more than 100 cases countywide. Both Stoddard and Bray conducted the ongoing investigation that involved the help of innumerable personnel from several divisions, Tamayo said.

The probe resulted in the arrest of four individuals and as of this past week, 47 felony charges relating to burglary, theft and dealing in stolen property have been placed against these suspects.

There may be more charges following the work of both Bray and Stoddard, Tamayo said.

“These guys worked hard and with their investigative skills and through documentation, I nominate Det. Daniel Bray and Det. Christopher Stoddard for the Lehigh Acres Chamber of Commerce Deputy of the month awards.

Also honored during the luncheon held on March 30 at Majestic Golf Club were Charlotte Hummel as Employee of the Month and John Miller of Keep Lehigh Acres Beautiful as Member of the Month.

Chamber Employee of the Month was Charlotte Hummel of the Majestic Golf Club. Chamber President Joe Whalen made the presentation. Go to cu.lehighacrescitizen.com to see more photos. Photo by Mel Toadvine

Amy Davies, the project manager and finance director of Wilbur Smith Associates, spoke about Florida Gulf Coast University’s plans for a 50,000 square foot building on a five-acre parcel located on the 240-acre site which has been donated to the university by the developers. She said the building, which will cost $12 million to build will house cutting-edge research facilities related to the further exploration of newable energies, sustainable building design and leading edge environmental practices. The project is known as the Southeast Florida Solar Retrofit Initiative or SERI and Lee County, partnering with the Southwest Florida Regional Planning Council has submitted an application for a $34.8 million grant for the Southwest Florida Solar Energy Retrofit Initiative. Grant funds are being sought under the American Recovery and Reinvetment Act. The purpose of the initiative is to increase the use of solar energy for the region’s water hearing needs. The primary goal of the program is to retrofit large numbers of homes with solar hot water heaters and some commercial buildings which may also be eligible.

For more information, go online at: www.fgcuinnovationhub.com. With Davies was Rich Galvano, with Galvano Development. He is a real estate investment and development specialist.

John Miller was Member of the Month at the Lehigh Chamber’s luncheon last week. At left is Joe Whalen, Chamber president, who made the presentation. Go to cu.lehighacrescitizen.com to see more photos. Photo by Mel Toadvine