Cape Coral police are investigating a suspicious incident in North Fort Myers to determine if it is related to an attempted abduction in Cape Coral, both involving a dark SUV approaching a child.
A witness reported seeing a dark-colored SUV approach a child near Tropic Isles Elementary School in North Fort Myers on Wednesday morning, prompting increased law enforcement presence in the area.
This follows a reported incident in Cape Coral where two people allegedly tried to approach a child.
"I was leaving. I was driving around and there's police officers over there, and I see a bunch more over there, and I see they put the thing in the school. So it's just a lot of police activity, you know," J.T., a North Fort Myers resident, said.
The Lee County Sheriff's Office and Cape Coral Police Department are investigating the incidents.
Lisa Greenberg, public information officer for the Cape Coral Police Department, said, "We started collecting surveillance video from all the homes that are nearby in the area. You know, a lot of homes have surveillance at this day and age. So that's kind of one of the first things we do. Our officers are continuing to gather surveillance images."
Crime Stoppers reported that someone called the Lee County Sheriff's Office after seeing a dark SUV with black rims approach a child on Orange Grove Boulevard near Pondella Road on Wednesday. Authorities are asking for help to locate the SUV.
The Lee County Sheriff's Office stated they will maintain a presence in the area and continue collaborating with Cape Coral Police to determine if the incidents are connected.
A local resident expressed relief at the increased police presence, saying, "I'm happy. Do you feel better knowing that there's all these police in the area? Oh, yeah. Yeah, I feel safe. You know, I'm making sure that kids are safe, so can't go wrong with that."
Authorities urge anyone who witnessed suspicious activity involving a dark SUV in the area to contact SWFL Crime Stoppers or the Lee County Sheriff's Office.
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