(May 8, 2024) — On February 7th, 2024, at around 6:04 PM, officers with the Cape Coral Police Department were called to a disturbance in the 1500 block of Del Prado Blvd S, Cape Coral, Florida.
The victim said she was in a verbal argument with a man later identified as Bret Austin Dahl (DOB 02/11/1995). She said the man exited his vehicle and aggressively approached hers. As the victim tried to call police, the suspect put his arm inside her driver-side window and smacked the phone out of her hand, hit her in her left arm, and spit on the back driver-side window. The victim took pictures of the vehicle and license plate. The victim said she did not know the suspect.
Based on the investigation, Detectives identified Dahl as a suspect. Dahl was already in custody at the Lee County Jail on unrelated charges from an incident that occurred on Saturday, May 4th, 2024. That day, officers were dispatched to a home in SW Cape Coral for a battery call. Dahl shoved the victim, and during the commission of the battery, stole the victim’s iPhone 15. Dahl also caused an estimated $3,370 in property damage. He also shattered the victim’s fish tank, then flushed the betta fish down the toilet.
Bret Austin Dahl is now facing the following charges (between both cases):
–1 count in violation of F.S.S. 784.03(1)(a)(1) – Battery (for May 4th incident)
–1 count in violation of F.S.S. 812.014 (e) – Grand Theft (for May 4th incident)
–1 count in violation of F.S.S. 806.13(1)(a – Criminal Mischief (for May 4th incident)
–1 count in violation of F.S.S. 914.22(1)(e) –Tampering with a Victim (for May 4th incident)
–1 count in violation of F.S.S. 828.12(1)(a) – Animal Cruelty (for May 4th incident)
–1 count in violation of F.S.S. 812.02 (2)(A) – Burglary with Battery or Assault (for February 7th incident)
