Press Releases

Allied Recycling Shooting
April 12, 2008

Detectives are asking for the public’s help in identifying and tracking down some ruthless robbers on the run following a Fort Myers shooting.

A typical day at Allied Recycling in Fort Myers…employees sort through all kinds of scrap metal…while a constant line of folks await payment for what they brought in. But on March 27th, a typical day turned into a nightmare.

“I was very scared. Very, very scared. My only thought was ‘don’t hurt me," said office clerk Caryn Lingard.

Even though this surveillance video shows that employees offered no resistance, that didn’t stop these thugs from shooting one of them in the back.

“That tells me that these robbers are brazen. They’re willing to do whatever it takes to accomplish their criminal activity," said Det. Victor Medico of the Fort Myers Police Department.

Medico says these armed robbers were cold…and methodical.

“The surveillance video showed that this was probably planned out in the manner in which they conducted their business during the robbery. It wasn’t panicked, it was clear; concise…they went for what they were after,” Medico said.

Lingard says she knows why these men knew their way around so well.

"I think that they knew what was going on around here. They’d been customers here before, I’m sure. They knew where the money was. They knew right what they were going for," she said.

And she still bristles at the viciousness displayed.

“They got what they wanted. They had no reason to shoot anybody.”

Anyone with information on the robbery at Allied Recycling is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-780-TIPS (8477). All callers will remain anonymous and will be eligible for up to $1,000 in cash rewards. Tips can also be made online at www.swflcrimestoppers.org