Press Releases

Cape Coral home invasion robbery
Dec. 19, 2009

Cape cops need your help identifying three young men who attacked a homeowner, then robbed him of his paycheck just a few weeks before Christmas.

An open garage door served as an invitation for a thieving trio in a truck recently, but when the homeowner threw a wrench into their plan, things got violent and three men now stand wanted for home invasion robbery.

“It happened pretty quick. I was a little bit in disbelief," William Carney said.

It was shortly after 9 on a November night, when Cape resident William Carney went to bring some items to the back of his house, leaving his garage door open for just a few minutes. Moments later, some uninvited guests arrived.

“I turned around and there’s a guy in my driveway… in my garage – and he was going after the scrap copper we keep in the garage," Carney said.

When the suspects entered the garage, they were probably just intent on stealing some copper wire or other items. But what no one ever anticipated is that a simple theft case would quickly turn violent and become a home invasion robbery.

Trying to defend his home and property, Carney soon found himself being attacked by the intruder.

“Not too long after that, a couple of guys, who I guess were in the truck, came in and jumped me," Carney said.

One of those men held a knife to Carney’s throat, while the others scoured through the garage, stole the money he’d just been paid for a job, then took off in a beaten up white truck.

“I have a feeling that they live close by. Some of my neighbors have said they’ve seen a white truck going up and down the street on garbage night," Carney said.

Carney is a plumber by trade, and thinks his house was targeted.

“I guess they’ve got a bullseye on my house. I have a tendency to keep the garage door open and have barrels of scrap copper – and that’s pretty good money if you bring that in," Carney said.

Now, this Southeast Cape resident just hopes someone will come forward with information on the robbery, so that he’s not targeted again. And as for his garage – we asked Carney if he keeps it open anymore.

“No, no I don’t. Only if I’m out there," Carney said.

Anyone with information on the November 19th robbery on SE 45th Terrace 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.