Lehigh Acres, FL – Two suspects have been arrested following an investigation into a string of water system thefts across Lee County, according to the Lee County Sheriff’s Office.
Sheriff Carmine Marceno announced Friday that deputies and detectives with the agency’s 2nd Precinct identified the suspects after investigating multiple thefts reported throughout April and May in the Lehigh Acres area.
According to investigators, deputies responded May 21 to a grand theft report on 12th Street West after suspects allegedly stole an entire residential water system from a property before fleeing the scene.
Detectives said surveillance and investigative work connected the suspects to a 2002 Ford E250 van believed to have been used in several thefts. Authorities later located the vehicle and conducted a traffic stop on East Lee Boulevard.
Deputies identified the suspects as Nilo Hernandez, born September 23, 1966, and Enery Perez Rodriguez, born February 10, 1981.
Investigators also executed a search warrant at Rodriguez’s residence on Elmwood Avenue, where deputies reportedly recovered the stolen water system on a back patio. Authorities noted the pipes were still dripping from freshly cut lines when discovered.
Both Hernandez and Rodriguez were arrested on grand theft charges.
The Lee County Sheriff’s Office said additional charges could be filed as detectives continue investigating similar thefts connected to the case.
Officials have not released information regarding the total value of the stolen equipment or how many homes may have been targeted.
All suspects and defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
