Willie James Sirmons Jr.

Detectives assigned to the Lee County Sheriff’s Office Bravo District Criminal Investigations Division have linked a Lehigh Acres man to 11 area burglaries.

Willie James Sirmons Jr., 31, of 2401 Hightower Avenue, Lehigh Acres has been charged with 36 felonies after he was accused of taking part in stealing large quantities of aluminum that he was scrapping at area recycling facilities, authorities said. In total, he is accused of making more than $2,500 for his alleged crimes.

The investigation into Sirmons began in October 2010, when deputies saw an increase in burglaries in the Leonard Boulevard area of Lehigh Acres.

Four burglaries in six weeks occurred at Flesher Windows, located at 511 Leonard Boulevard, Lehigh Acres. Seven additional burglaries, including four more at 511 Leonard Boulevard (now known as Eastern Architectural Systems), two at Dream Works Aluminum, located at 5615 8th Street West, Lehigh Acres, and one at Liberty Aluminum, located at 5613 6th Street West, Lehigh Acres were reported after March 2011, Sheriff’s officials said.

In April 2011, thanks to information obtained through the course of the investigation, detectives identified Willie Sirmons as a possible suspect. Investigators proceeded to gather intelligence on Sirmons, studied surveillance video obtained from the victimized businesses and went over receipts from local recycling facilities.

On May 12, 2011, Sirmons was arrested and transported to the Lee County Jail without incident. His charges include burglary, grand theft, felony criminal mischief, dealing in stolen property and false verification of ownership to a secondary metal recycler.

Detectives estimate his crimes cost local businesses an estimated $50,000 in stolen materials.