On Friday, February 19, 2016 the Fort Myers Police Department honored several employees at the monthly award ceremony. The officers were recognized for their hard work and dedication to the City of Fort Myers and it’s residents.
Officer Eric Reitler and Detective Jesus Ramos were selected as the January 2016 Officers of the Month. The officers were recognized for their detailed investigate skills and apprehension of a burglary suspect. On December 14, 2015 Officer Retiler responded to an address on Skipton Circle in reference to a past occurred burglary. Officer Reitler was able to process the crime scene and lift a latent fingerprint of unknown value from the scene. The fingerprint was submitted to the Identification Division and a suspect was developed. Detective Jesus Ramos conducted a follow-up investigation with the victim and was able to determine that the identified suspect was not known to the victim or had permission to be in the victims residence. Detective Ramos was able to obtain a full confession from the suspect regarding this case.
The suspect was charged with Burglary and Grand theft in relation to this case.
Bike Officers Jonathan Garcia and Richard Carpenter were selected at the East Fort Myers Rotary Club Award based on two nominations that were submitted. On January 2, 2016 Officers Garcia and Carpenter observed a vehicle stopped in the middle of Main Street in Fort Myers. Upon making contact with the vehicle occupants, Officer Garcia was able to observe a .45 caliber, semi-automatic handgun lying in plain view. The firearm was secured and the subject was detained. Further investigation revealed that the passenger was a convicted felon. The passenger was charged with Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon.
On January 3, 2016 both officers stopped a vehicle leaving a downtown parking lot and were able to detect the odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle. With the assistance from another officer the vehicle was stopped a block away. Prior to the vehicle stopping, the passenger was observed tossing a firearm from the vehicle. Further investigation revealed a second firearm, narcotics and currency within the vehicle. In total four (4) subjects were arrested for various firearm and drug related offenses; as well as outstanding arrest warrants and traffic offenses.
In another incident Officer Carpenter observed a subject in holding a firearm while standing outside of a vehicle in the 2200 block of Second Street. Officer Carpenter confronted the subject who attempted to conceal the weapon and later discard it. The subject was charged with Reckless Display of a Firearm, Carrying a Concealed Firearm and Resisting Arrest without violence.
Based on the officers observation skills, four (4) weapons were removed from the streets.
Officers Christian Reynolds, Mathew Yeomans and Adam Vasquez were selected at the Mission BBQ Officers of the Month for January 2016. On January 21, 2106 Officer Reynolds was advised by a citizen that a subject was attempting to break into a bank along Palm Beach Boulevard. Officers Yeomans and Vasquez responded to the location; along with Officer Reynolds and observed a subject who was attempting to defeat the ATM machine with a shovel. The subject fled upon the seeing the officers approach and was quickly detained. The subject was charged with Possession of Burglary Tools, Criminal Mischief , and Resisting Arrest without Violence. The officers quick actions prevented extensive damage to the ATM and potential for loss of currency from the ATM
Please join us in congratulating our award recipients!
Jim Mulligan
Captain – Operations Bureau/Public Information Office
Fort Myers Police Department
2210 Widman Way
Fort Myers, Florida 33901
(239) 321-7774 office
(239) 461-4672 fax