Fort Myers man accused of cutting hole in gas station roof to commit burglary

FORT MYERS, Fla. (WINK) — A Fort Myers man was arrested Wednesday after allegedly cutting a hole in a gas station ceiling to commit a burglary, according to the Lee County Sheriff's Office.

Deputies said Leonardo Cruz Pena stole money, lottery tickets and cigarettes before leading deputies on a foot pursuit into the water.

Sheriff Carmine Marceno said criminals cannot escape law enforcement, no matter where they try to hide.

"Criminals can run, hide, or even jump into a pond, but they will not escape the Lee County Sheriff's Office," Marceno said. "Breaking into a gas station is not the way to make quick cash. It will only earn you a quick ride to the Marceno Motel and, in this case, a quick deportation."

Deputies responded to the Super America Gas Station on Alico Road around 3 a.m. after an employee reported seeing a man inside the business on surveillance footage. Deputies arrived within minutes and immediately launched a drone, which located the suspect on the roof, behind an air conditioning unit.

After ignoring multiple commands from deputies, the suspect allegedly jumped from the roof and fled on foot into a nearby pond. Deputies pulled the man out of the water and discovered cash, cigarettes and a saw blade in his pockets.

A bag containing additional cash, cigarettes and lottery tickets was also recovered from the roof. 4th Precinct Crime Sector detectives identified the suspect as Cruz Pena.

Detectives said Cruz Pena had used a Sawzall to cut through the roof and gain access to the store. Once inside, he allegedly pried open multiple cash registers, stealing cash and other merchandise before climbing onto a drink cooler and escaping back through the roof.

Cruz Pena was arrested and charged with burglary, grand theft, criminal mischief, petit theft and resisting an officer without violence.