Fort Myers vehicle burglary suspect arrested after jumping into canal, police say

A suspect in a vehicle burglary was arrested by officers with the Fort Myers Police Department after they say he jumped into a canal to avoid arrest. According to FMPD, officers responded to Sunset Place regarding a vehicle burglary that had just occurred early Tuesday morning. The victim told officers that they had seen a man wearing a green hoodie standing outside the vehicle with the passenger door open. When confronted, the man reportedly apologized, said he was at the wrong house, and fled the area. Later, officers found a man matching the description of the suspect riding a bicycle near Hanson Street and Grand Avenue. When officers tried to stop him, the man reportedly refused commands and fled, abandoning his bicycle and jumping into a canal south of Canal Street. Officers entered the canal and apprehended the man, later identified as Cristian Ariel Rodriguez, 32. FMPD says that Rodriguez continued to resist police before being restrained. At the time of his arrest, officers say that Rodriguez had a black purse on him. He also had multiple pairs of sunglasses and other items. Rodriguez had two active warrants through the Lee County Sheriff's Office. Rodriguez faces charges of burglary of an unoccupied conveyance, unarmed and resisting an officer. DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment, and more on your phone or tablet. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment and original programming on your TV