Cape Coral man jumps into canal to dodge police after alleged break-in attempt

CAPE CORAL, Fla. — A Cape Coral man jumped into a canal to try to escape police after authorities say he was caught on a home security camera trying to break into a truck.

According to Cape Coral Police, the incident unfolded around 10:42 p.m. Monday, Sept. 21 in the 5300 block of Nautilus Drive.

A resident watching their home security system live spotted a shirtless man step out of a white SUV, walk up their driveway and try to open the door of an unoccupied pickup truck. The door was locked, so the man could not get in.

The resident reported the suspect fled toward El Dorado Parkway East, and officers began searching the area.

Shortly before 10:57 p.m., an officer found a white Lexus RX 350 SUV parked backward in a driveway in the 1400 block of Wiltshire Court.

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When the officer approached, a man was spotted standing on the passenger side of the vehicle. He then ran south on foot toward a nearby canal and jumped in to try to get away.

After swimming across the canal, the suspect climbed out on the other side, where officers were already waiting.

Investigators identified the man as Antonio Palhares Desouza, 43, of Cape Coral, who was also confirmed as the registered owner of the white Lexus SUV.

Security footage reviewed by investigators showed Desouza trying to open the truck's door before walking back to his vehicle.

Desouza was taken to Lee County Jail and charged with attempting to break into an unoccupied vehicle, loitering and prowling and resisting an officer without violence.