SWFL.io - Local NewsWINK News Digital Team
•8/17/2026
CAPE CORAL, Fla. (WINK) — Three teenagers were arrested after Cape Coral Police said they burglarized a business, assaulted two employees and led officers on a high-speed chase early Sunday morning.
Cape Coral Police officers responded to a disturbance at a business in northeast Cape Coral just after 5 a.m. on Sunday. Officers spoke to two employees and determined a burglary and theft had occurred, during which the employees were assaulted.
Detectives with the Cape Coral Police Department's Violent Crimes Unit responded to the scene to investigate. The employees provided detectives with surveillance video from the business.
The video showed three teens allegedly entering the business at approximately 5:05 a.m. Authorities said one of the teens concealed an item from the business, prompting a verbal confrontation with the employees.
The employees instructed the three minors to leave the business. The teens exited and stood outside the front entrance, and then one of them passed all points of sale without paying for the concealed item, according to Cape PD.
The three teens then allegedly forced their way back into the business and physically attacked the two employees. Surveillance video showed the employees being struck multiple times in the face with closed fists.
Cape PD said the three fled the area in a black Chevrolet Equinox. At approximately 5:25 a.m., a Cape Coral Police officer observed the suspect vehicle leaving the area.
Officers attempted to stop the vehicle with their emergency lights and sirens, but the driver allegedly failed to stop and fled. Cape PD said the driver operated the Chevrolet Equinox westbound in the eastbound lanes of Pine Island Road at approximately 90 mph.
Multiple marked Cape Coral Police vehicles attempted to stop the vehicle with their emergency lights and sirens activated. The teen continued fleeing and reached speeds of approximately 100 mph, according to the press release.
The suspect vehicle eventually stopped on Northeast Pine Island Road just east of Andalusia Boulevard. Herrera, Diaz and Montez were detained, according to Cape PD.
Officers observed one of the teens in the driver's seat and in immediate control of the vehicle. The investigation determined that the driver had never been issued a valid driver's license.
During a show-up identification, both employees positively identified the teens as the three individuals involved in the burglary and assault. Based on the investigation, all three juveniles were arrested and transported to the Juvenile Assessment Center.
One teen faces charges of burglary with assault or battery (two counts), fleeing or attempting to elude a law enforcement officer at high speed or with wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property and no valid driver's license. The second teen faces charges of burglary with assault or battery (two counts). The third teen faces charges of burglary with assault or battery (two counts) and petit theft.