Press Releases

Four suspects kill man in front of son
May 24, 2008

The Lee County Sheriff’s Office needs your help locating four vicious killers. The suspects committed the murder while the victim’s teenaged son watched in horror.

“There were definitely signs of a pretty big struggle inside the house," said Detective Mark Hingson of the sheriff's office.

The struggle inside the house resulted in the brutal death of Rey Escobar. Evidence shows that Escobar was savagely beaten by four men February 11, 2008.

“One of the men attacked Mr. Escobar with a bar stool beating him with it. One of the men stabbed him," Hingson said.

What makes this crime even more disturbing is that the victim’s 13-year-old son saw it all.

“One of the four men that were in the house duct-taped him up…held him inside the house while this was going on…while his father was being killed in front of him," Hingson said.

The two known suspects in this case were considered Escobar’s friends. Ignacio Rebollar, nicknamed “Pelon,” and Antonio Franco, nicknamed “Nacho” worked with the victim - and they often hung out together. But for reasons still being investigated, Escobar’s friends turned on him.

Detectives believe the capture of Rebollar and Franco will lead them to the two other suspects in this murder. And they’re confident “Pelon” and “Nacho” are still in our area.

“We have had witnesses and family members of the victim tell us that they have had sightings of these guys. They have been seen at bus stops, possibly in Hendry County between the La Belle and Clewiston area. Some have even said they thought they saw them in Fort Myers, still," Hingson said.

Rebollar and Franco have shown their vicious nature and investigators want them off the streets before they harm someone else.

If you know the whereabouts of either of these two men, call Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers at 1-800-780-TIPS. You may be eligible for a cash reward of up to $1,000.