Bernie Alan Shane

After several burglaries were committed in the Lehigh Acres area, including a church and funeral home, authorities have arrested and charged the suspected culprit.

At approximately 12:18 a.m. June 28, deputies with the Lee County Sheriff’s Office East District responded to a Subway, at 2802 Lee Blvd., in reference to an alarm. When they arrived, they observed a shattered front door. The business was cleared for suspects and deputies reported on the damage.

While conducting an area check in the vicinity, a deputy observed a reckless driver. A traffic stop was conducted and Bernie Alan Shane, 40, of 1013 DeSoto Ave., was arrested on an unrelated traffic offense. An inventory tow sheet was completed, and photos were taken of the vehicle and its contents.

Shortly after, deputies responded to a burglary at St. Raphael Catholic Church, at 2514 Lee Blvd. The front double doors had been forced open and damaged, and two “poor” boxes were forced open and the money taken. The suspect damaged other property inside of the church and destroyed its sound system.

LCSO officials reported that about the same time, two other businesses had been found to have been burglarized, along with two vehicles in the same vicinity.

An investigation revealed that multiple items stolen from the businesses and vehicles were found in Shane’s vehicle. Surveillance video from the church, Hodges Funeral Home, Subway and CVS was reviewed, and a search warrant executed at Shane’s residence uncovered evidence and burglary tools.

Shane was arrested and charged on Wednesday with:

– Burglary unoccupied structure unarmed ( four counts)

– Burglary unoccupied conveyance unarmed

– Burglary tools possess with intent to use

– Damage property criminal mischief over $200 under $1,000 (two counts)

– Damage property criminal mischief church synagogue mosque or religious article

– Larceny petit theft (two counts)

– Larceny grand theft $5,000 less than $10,000

– Larceny grand theft $300 less than $5,000

– Reckless driving

He remains at the Lee County Jail on $50,000 bond.

“Our deputies work hard at putting the puzzle pieces together to ensure these crimes do not go unpunished,” Undersheriff Carmine Marceno said in a prepared statement on Thursday.