6 arrested in scrap metal heist in Lee County

LEE COUNTY, Fla. —

Lee County deputies arrested six individuals, including a 17-year-old, in connection with the theft of aluminum scrap metal worth thousands of dollars in Fort Myers, which investigators believe may be part of an organized crime operation.

Victor Claar, an economics professor at Florida Gulf Coast University, said, "In many ways, aluminum is the new copper."

Investigators said more than $30,000 worth of aluminum was stolen earlier this month from outside PGT Custom Windows and Glass in Fort Myers.

"It's not a surprise to see that if there's aluminum scrap metal lying around, people are laying their hands on it and trying to fence it just like they used to fence copper," Claar said.

Last Friday, deputies responded to a 911 call from an employee who spotted suspects on live surveillance cameras stealing metal from Suncoast Metals dumpsters. Deputies said the suspects loaded the aluminum onto multiple U-Haul trailers and Penske trucks.

When deputies arrived, they arrested six individuals, including a 17-year-old, who now faces grand theft charges. The following people were arrested:

• Elaguwan Myers
• Maline Exume
• Deondre Morrow
• Anthony Thomas
• Nikebrice Sainvilus
• Connell Carroll

"Aluminum is increasing in price rapidly," Claar said.

Detectives said the thefts may be connected to other incidents across the Gulf Coast. Claar explained that rising aluminum prices could lead to more thefts.

"It creates incentives for people to do nefarious things," Claar said.

Deputies said the investigation is ongoing, and they are tracking the rental trucks to determine whether the group is linked to other thefts in the region.

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