Man accused of trying to break into multiple Lehigh Acres homes

LEHIGH ACRES, Fla. —

Neighbors in Lehigh Acres were alarmed after they said a man attempted to break into homes and steal items, leading to his arrest and leaving the community shaken.

Shane Ollie, a local resident, described the man as "walking down the road acting real funny and weird."

Deputies reported that Nathaniel Gibson tried to break into a home by banging on the doors and windows of both the house and a trailer in the backyard where a woman resides.

When the woman opened the door, Gibson attempted to pull it open, demanding, "Give me your hand," and "Let me in." She managed to shut and lock the door, leaving her very scared, according to Ollie.

Investigators said Gibson then entered a screened-in area of the home and stole items, including ice cream from the fridge.

"He broke into her fridge or whatever and stole some ice cream," Ollie said.

Gibson proceeded to a lanai down the street, broke into another home, and attempted to walk away when deputies arrived.

Neighbors witnessed the incident when deputies say Gibson resisted arrest, with Ollie recounting, "He just kept backing up away from the officer, and the officer finally had to detain him."

The Lee County Sheriff's Office arrested Gibson, who had previously been arrested in December for damaging another home's door and windows in an attempt to enter. Ollie expressed frustration, saying, "He's continuing to do this, you know, multiple times, sooner or later is enough."

The family affected by the incident was too shaken to speak on camera, with their daughters still distraught.

Ollie shared that now, "any time she's tried to come out or anything, she's got lights on everywhere."

A neighbor reported that Gibson even turned off their water, prompting residents to ensure all doors and vehicles are securely locked as well.

Ollie said, "Now we’re making sure all of our doors are locked, and all of our trucks and everything is locked up."

Across the street, a family's dragonflies serve as a symbol of healing during their recovery from a morning that left the community shaken.

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