Estero man accused of robbing victim of iPhone in parking lot of local business

ESTERO, Fla. —

An Estero man was arrested on Saturday after being accused of robbery with a weapon in the parking lot of Estero River Outfitters.

According to the Lee County Sheriff's Office arrest report, deputies responded to reports of a robbery at Estero River Outfitters at around 9:17 a.m. The victim told deputies his iPhone had been stolen, and that his sandals had been left at the scene, and may also have been stolen.

Deputies continued to speak to the victim, who told them he had just pulled into the parking lot and was getting out of his vehicle at the business when a man approached him.

The victim began backing away from the man, who told the victim, "Stop walking away," and "Come here or get hit," the report said.

The man then told the victim, "Give me your phone and empty your pockets," the report said. The victim had his phone in his hand.

The suspect then pulled a silver object out of his pocket, which caused the victim to drop his iPhone, kick off his Yeezy Slides, and run from the parking lot across US-41, the report said.

The victim found an old couple biking and used their phone to call 911.

Deputies reviewed security footage, which showed the confrontation as the victim had described it. It also showed the suspect throw an unknown object into the woods east of the parking lot, according to the report.

A search of the woods revealed a metal pipe with a rubber grip.

Further investigation identified the suspect in the robbery as Oliver Neal, 22, of Estero, the report said.

Deputies made contact with Neal and arrested him. He faces a charge of armed robbery.

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