Group accused of lighting stolen vehicle on fire in Cape Coral

CAPE CORAL, Fla. (WINK)—Three people were arrested after Cape Coral police connected them to a stolen Honda Civic that was later found burned.

Officers responded to the 2800 block of NW 4th Place on June 22, 2025, for a report of a stolen vehicle. A Honda Civic was taken from the residence, and another vehicle at the same location was burglarized.

Investigators determined the key fob had been left inside the stolen Honda Civic. The next day, officers responded to a vehicle fire near Chiquita Boulevard and Jacaranda Parkway.

The burning vehicle was the same Honda Civic reported stolen the day before. The investigation continued as detectives worked to identify suspects.

On June 27, 2025, an officer conducting traffic enforcement in Northwest Cape Coral stopped a speeding vehicle. During the stop, probable cause was established to search the vehicle, which led to the discovery of a stolen handgun.

The occupants were identified as Landin Lee Ahrens, 18, Jaydin Chase Kempton, 18, and a 17-year-old. Detectives obtained a search warrant for Kempton's cell phone.

Video evidence on the phone showed Ahrens and the 17-year-old setting the stolen vehicle on fire while Kempton recorded the incident. All three individuals were positively identified through investigative techniques.

Ahrens was charged with arson in the second degree. The 17-year-old was charged with arson in the second degree and grand theft of a motor vehicle.

Kempton was charged with arson in the second degree, motor vehicle theft, burglary of a motor vehicle, and petit theft.