Juvenile Arrested for Burglary of Gun Store

(July 20, 2023)- On July 19, 2023, at approximately 2:40 a.m., Cape Coral Police Department officers responded to a call for service at 3818 Skyline Boulevard (Cape Guns) in reference to a burglary in progress.

The call notes stated that a person dressed in all-black clothing was attempting to break the front glass of the business. As officers arrived on the scene, the person, later identified as Micah J. Abernethy (W/M 10-17-2008, 166 SW 53rd Street), returned to the vehicle he arrived in and fled from the parking lot.

Responding officers located a vehicle matching the description traveling at a high rate of speed near the store's location. Officers observed the vehicle speeding, traveling in the opposite lanes of traffic, and driving recklessly; ultimately, the vehicle lost the officers following. Officers observed a damaged traffic sign near where the car was last seen and followed the fresh vehicle fluids, trailing to the suspect vehicle abandoned in a nearby dead-end. The unoccupied vehicle had damages consistent with striking a sign and was still warm to the touch. It appeared the vehicle's ignition was also tampered with. 

 A perimeter was quickly established, and Lee County Sheriff's Office Aviation Unit responded to help locate the suspect. The suspect was located running alongside a canal bank in the area. Officers located Mr. Abernethy, who matched the suspect description nearby, and he was detained without further incident.

The investigation revealed that Mr. Abernethy had burglary tools still in his possession, including a hammer, construction-style gloves, a ski mask, and a screwdriver. Mr. Abernethy caused nearly $3,000 worth of damages to the front of the business window but was unable to enter due to the windows' strength. The vehicle Mr. Abernethy used to commit the crime was also reported as stolen.

Mr. Abernethy was subsequently transported to Lee County Jail.

Mr. Abernethy was charged with the following:

*Burglary of an Unoccupied Structure, F.S.S. 810.02 (4)(A)

*Possession of Burglary Tools, F.S.S. 810.06.

* Grand Theft Motor Vehicle, 812.014(2)(C)(6).

*Criminal Mischief $1,000 or more, F.S.S. 806.13 (1)(b)(3).

* Leaving the Scene of Accident, F.S.S. 316.061(1).

*Loitering and Prowling, F.S.S. 856.021.