Man arrested, accused of stealing golf carts from neighborhoods in Lee County

LEE COUNTY, Fla. — A golf cart has been recovered and returned to its rightful owners in the River Hall community, a gated area along Palm Beach Boulevard, after it was reported stolen on Monday.

According to the Lee County Sheriff's Office, 30-year-old Robert Ederer was found with 4 stolen golf carts and was arrested on Wednesday. One of the golf carts belongs to Marie and John Anderson.

"My husband went to go golfing Monday morning," said Marie. "His tee time was at 7:30. And when he came back at 10:30, the cart was missing."

The Andersons' blue 2023 Evolution golf cart, valued at over $12,000, was taken from them at the River Hall Country Club.

"Definitely violated and angry," Marie said. "Just, you know, most of us in here are retired. We just live our life."

John reported the theft to the sheriff's office, and deputies responded promptly.

Within days, their golf cart was found and returned.

"I just give kudos to River Hall, the fire department and Lee County Sheriff's Office, for everyone pulling together and, you know, helping find the golf cart," said Marie.

Marie pointed out that the area where they park their golf carts lacks surveillance.

"This is where everybody parks their cart," she said. "But this area does not have any cameras."

But what shocked the Andersons was when they learned that their cart was not the only one stolen.

"That's what we heard, which is just so crazy to me," said Marie. "I mean, for this to be found, where it was found, you know, and other golf carts being there, I just, it's crazy to me that it's that these are such a hot commodity."

Ederer was booked into the Lee County Jail on Wednesday.

He is being charged with 3 counts of larceny for grand theft of property valued between $750,000 to $5,000, larceny for grand theft of property valued between $10,000 to $5,000 and burglary of an occupied dwelling, unarmed.

Ederer is set to appear in court on March 9 at 8:30 a.m.