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Deputies recognized for arrest

By Staff | Aug 5, 2015

Christopher Lopez-Burnside

The actions of two Lee County sheriff’s deputies has seen a trend of burglaries in Lehigh go own, according to Lt. Jeffery Brown, who handed out two awards to Deputies Christopher Lopez-Burnside and Michael Truscott at last week’s monthly Greater Lehigh Acres Chamber of Commerce luncheon emceed by Chamber President and CEO Inke Baker on July 28.

The two deputies were called to the front of the group while Lt. Brown noted that on July 7 after 9 p.m., Deputy Christopher Lopez-Burnside was participating in a burglary suppression operation, and looking for suspicious activity in the area of 46th Street SW and Alabama Road S.

He said Lopez-Burnside saw suspect Alfredo Rodriguez wearing all dark clothing and riding a bicycle without the state-required lighting.

When Lopez-Burnside initiated a traffic stop on Rodriguez, he fled toward nearby thick bushes and Lee County Sheriff’s Office K9 units responded to the scene and quickly apprehended Rodriguez who Brown said was hiding inside a dog house.

But while Rodriguez’s injuries from the K9 apprehension were being treated, Deputy Michael Truscott recalled the suspect’s shoe prints that believe had previously been photographed and had them compared to the shoes being worn by Rodriguez.

Michael Truscott

Brown said the unusual print pattern on the bottom of the shoes appeared to be an identical match to Rodriguez’s shoes, and promoted Rodriguez to speak with Deputy Lopez-Burnside about his knowledge of a recent rash of vehicle burglaries in Lehigh.

After Rodriguez was read his Miranda rights, Lt. Brown said he agreed to answer questions without an attorney, and was taken to the East District interview area for more questioning.

Lt. Brown said the two deputies were able to build a rapport with Rodriguez and were able to get confessions and intelligence regarding approximately 14 persons of interest; and their associations.

During the intelligence gathering, Rodriguez agreed to be driven to several suspect locations; he led detectives to recover several items of stolen property from the admitted burglaries, Lt. Brown said.

In addition to Rodriguez providing information regarding the vehicle burglaries which included the theft of firearms, Rodriguez also provided intelligence regarding a rival gang and plans of criminal activity by his “crew” to conduct a home invasion.

MEL TOADVINE Lt. Jeff Brown, left, presented awards to Lee County Deputies Michael Truscott and Christopher Lopez-Burnside for their efforts in helping to bring the vehicular crime rate down.

Lt. Brown said Rodriguez was arrested and charged with multiple counts, and has several more pending charges after the investigation of more than 30 related burglaries.

That’s when Lt. Brown said the trend of burglaries have ceased in Lehigh, and the intended escalation to a violent felony was averted.

The chamber audience stood and cheered for the deputies.

Deputies recognized for arrest

By Staff | Aug 5, 2015

Christopher Lopez-Burnside

The actions of two Lee County sheriff’s deputies has seen a trend of burglaries in Lehigh go own, according to Lt. Jeffery Brown, who handed out two awards to Deputies Christopher Lopez-Burnside and Michael Truscott at last week’s monthly Greater Lehigh Acres Chamber of Commerce luncheon emceed by Chamber President and CEO Inke Baker on July 28.

The two deputies were called to the front of the group while Lt. Brown noted that on July 7 after 9 p.m., Deputy Christopher Lopez-Burnside was participating in a burglary suppression operation, and looking for suspicious activity in the area of 46th Street SW and Alabama Road S.

He said Lopez-Burnside saw suspect Alfredo Rodriguez wearing all dark clothing and riding a bicycle without the state-required lighting.

When Lopez-Burnside initiated a traffic stop on Rodriguez, he fled toward nearby thick bushes and Lee County Sheriff’s Office K9 units responded to the scene and quickly apprehended Rodriguez who Brown said was hiding inside a dog house.

But while Rodriguez’s injuries from the K9 apprehension were being treated, Deputy Michael Truscott recalled the suspect’s shoe prints that believe had previously been photographed and had them compared to the shoes being worn by Rodriguez.

Michael Truscott

Brown said the unusual print pattern on the bottom of the shoes appeared to be an identical match to Rodriguez’s shoes, and promoted Rodriguez to speak with Deputy Lopez-Burnside about his knowledge of a recent rash of vehicle burglaries in Lehigh.

After Rodriguez was read his Miranda rights, Lt. Brown said he agreed to answer questions without an attorney, and was taken to the East District interview area for more questioning.

Lt. Brown said the two deputies were able to build a rapport with Rodriguez and were able to get confessions and intelligence regarding approximately 14 persons of interest; and their associations.

During the intelligence gathering, Rodriguez agreed to be driven to several suspect locations; he led detectives to recover several items of stolen property from the admitted burglaries, Lt. Brown said.

In addition to Rodriguez providing information regarding the vehicle burglaries which included the theft of firearms, Rodriguez also provided intelligence regarding a rival gang and plans of criminal activity by his “crew” to conduct a home invasion.

MEL TOADVINE Lt. Jeff Brown, left, presented awards to Lee County Deputies Michael Truscott and Christopher Lopez-Burnside for their efforts in helping to bring the vehicular crime rate down.

Lt. Brown said Rodriguez was arrested and charged with multiple counts, and has several more pending charges after the investigation of more than 30 related burglaries.

That’s when Lt. Brown said the trend of burglaries have ceased in Lehigh, and the intended escalation to a violent felony was averted.

The chamber audience stood and cheered for the deputies.

Deputies recognized for arrest

By Staff | Aug 5, 2015

Christopher Lopez-Burnside

The actions of two Lee County sheriff’s deputies has seen a trend of burglaries in Lehigh go own, according to Lt. Jeffery Brown, who handed out two awards to Deputies Christopher Lopez-Burnside and Michael Truscott at last week’s monthly Greater Lehigh Acres Chamber of Commerce luncheon emceed by Chamber President and CEO Inke Baker on July 28.

The two deputies were called to the front of the group while Lt. Brown noted that on July 7 after 9 p.m., Deputy Christopher Lopez-Burnside was participating in a burglary suppression operation, and looking for suspicious activity in the area of 46th Street SW and Alabama Road S.

He said Lopez-Burnside saw suspect Alfredo Rodriguez wearing all dark clothing and riding a bicycle without the state-required lighting.

When Lopez-Burnside initiated a traffic stop on Rodriguez, he fled toward nearby thick bushes and Lee County Sheriff’s Office K9 units responded to the scene and quickly apprehended Rodriguez who Brown said was hiding inside a dog house.

But while Rodriguez’s injuries from the K9 apprehension were being treated, Deputy Michael Truscott recalled the suspect’s shoe prints that believe had previously been photographed and had them compared to the shoes being worn by Rodriguez.

Michael Truscott

Brown said the unusual print pattern on the bottom of the shoes appeared to be an identical match to Rodriguez’s shoes, and promoted Rodriguez to speak with Deputy Lopez-Burnside about his knowledge of a recent rash of vehicle burglaries in Lehigh.

After Rodriguez was read his Miranda rights, Lt. Brown said he agreed to answer questions without an attorney, and was taken to the East District interview area for more questioning.

Lt. Brown said the two deputies were able to build a rapport with Rodriguez and were able to get confessions and intelligence regarding approximately 14 persons of interest; and their associations.

During the intelligence gathering, Rodriguez agreed to be driven to several suspect locations; he led detectives to recover several items of stolen property from the admitted burglaries, Lt. Brown said.

In addition to Rodriguez providing information regarding the vehicle burglaries which included the theft of firearms, Rodriguez also provided intelligence regarding a rival gang and plans of criminal activity by his “crew” to conduct a home invasion.

MEL TOADVINE Lt. Jeff Brown, left, presented awards to Lee County Deputies Michael Truscott and Christopher Lopez-Burnside for their efforts in helping to bring the vehicular crime rate down.

Lt. Brown said Rodriguez was arrested and charged with multiple counts, and has several more pending charges after the investigation of more than 30 related burglaries.

That’s when Lt. Brown said the trend of burglaries have ceased in Lehigh, and the intended escalation to a violent felony was averted.

The chamber audience stood and cheered for the deputies.