Deputy of the Month: Capt. Ed Tamayo, center, presents Deputy Julio Lock a plaque recognizing him as the Lehigh Acres Chamber of Commerce’s Deputy of the Month. At left is Chamber President Joe Whalen. Photo by Mel Toadvine

A Lehigh Acres deputy who drove straight from New Jersey to Lehigh Acres last week to be on hand at the Lehigh Acres Chamber of Commerce’s monthly luncheon where he was to be honored for his outstanding work in the Bravo District. Deputy Julio Lock had been visiting s up north over the holiday weekend. The ceremony at the Chamber luncheon was Nov. 30.

Capt Ed Tamayo, commander of the Bravo District, Lehigh Substation, told Chamber members that in October, Sgt. Steve Gehle had noticed that suspicious persons were riding an ATV in the area of Robert Ave. and Orange St. in Lehigh. He said Deputy Julio Lock began conducting building checks in the area of Leeland heights Blvd. due to the reported suspicious activity.

On foot in the area, Lock saw a 21-year-old man walking across Leeland Heights Blvd. into the driveway on Greenwood Ave.. The man had not seen Lock’s tactical foot patrol when he opened the driver’s side door and began rummaging through it.

“Deputy Lock confronted Wright at which time the man cursed and fled on foot,. Lock gave chase and was able to apprehend Wright. The suspect was identified as Jared Ralph Wright, 21.

Tamayo said Lock search Wright and discovered almost $20 in change and small bills, a socket tool and an Oxycontin pill, a controlled substance without a prescription. Lock made contact with the owner of the vehicle Wright had entered and confirmed the burglary, Tamayo said.

Deputy Julio Lock

the victim identified the missing property and provided a desire to prosecute Wright, who was charged with breaking into the car, burglary, petty theft, possession of a controlled drug and obstruction without violence.

Tamayo said it was officers like this who work as a team that is displayed daily by deputies and detectives of the Bravo District, and the tactical patrol techniques exercised by Deputy Lock.

“Deputy Lock is one of our hard working deputies who is dedicated to protecting the citizens of Lehigh and has an excellent record of making arrests,” Tamayo said.