A Cape Coral man was arrested after burglarizing a home and jumping into a canal to flee from police on Wednesday.
According to the Cape Coral Police Department, officers responded to a home near Pelican Boulevard for a burglary around 3:13 a.m.
The release says the homeowner believed someone had broken into the garage and was shining a light inside.
When CCPD arrived, the suspect, Joel Tucker Willin, 33, came out of the home and ran away.
The release says a trail of items was found leading to a nearby can. They saw Willin on the far side of the canal near the mangroves before losing him.
CCPD says officers used K9 units, drones and aviation to try to find Willin.
Detectives responded to the scene and found a ski mask and headlamp.
Police say they also found a large red shoe floating in the canal where Willin had jumped in.
CCPD says they also found a bicycle across the street from the home.
On the morning of the burglary, the police department says Willin was seen soaking wet in an area across the canal.
Officers found Willin at his home and interviewed him.
They discovered Willin got inside the home by cutting out a screen and unlocking the door.
CCPD says Willin ransacked the garage and the homeowner's car and stole $750 worth of things.
Willin was arrested and charged with:
- One count, burglary of an occupied dwelling, unarmed
- One count, burglary of an unoccupied conveyance
- One count, grand theft of $750 or more, but less than $5,000
- One count, resist officer without violence.