(July 29, 2024) — On Friday, July 26th, 2024 just after 11 PM, an officer with the Cape Coral Police Department witnessed a street race at 907 Chiquita Blvd S, Cape Coral, Florida.
The officer was in a parking lot across the street from the DayBreak Gas Station on SW 4th St. Multiple vehicles showed up to the gas station parking lot.
The officer saw a black BMW and a silver two-door car line up in the southbound lane near the 900-block of Chiquita Blvd. The officer heard three consistent horn beeps, which is known to be the signal/start of the race. Both cars were going approximately 30 mph, directly lined up to one another. Both vehicles then accelerated at a high rate of speed southbound on Chiquita Blvd, exceeding the posted speed limit of 45 mph, changing lanes, and passing other vehicles. The officer got behind the black BMW, which stopped at SW 18th Ln & Chiquita Blvd S. The silver vehicle got away before another officer could stop it.
The driver of the vehicle was identified as Luis Hernandez Ortega (DOB 09/03/03). When the officer asked the passenger for his identification, he refused. The officer advised that both the driver and passenger were detained for a criminal investigation in accordance with state statute, and he needed to provide his identification. The passenger then provided the name “Lucas Better” and a date of birth. The officer again told the passenger he had to identify himself and informed him of the crime he was committing by being a passenger in a vehicle participating in street racing. Dispatch advised they could not find information on a “Lucas Better” with the date of birth the passenger provided.
Another officer came and detained the passenger, who then admitted he provided the wrong name. He was identified as Lucas Delgado (DOB 05/15/05).
Based on the investigation, Luis Hernandez Ortega (above) was charged with:
—1 count in violation of F.S.S. 316.191(2)(a), Driver Participating in Street Racing
In accordance with state statute, Hernandez Ortega’s vehicle was impounded and his license was seized.
Based on the investigation, Lucas Delgado (above) was charged with:
—1 count in violation of F.S.S. 316.191(2)(c), Ride as Passenger in Street Race
—1 count in violation of F.S.S. 901.36(1), False name to a Law Enforcement Officer
In a separate incident on Saturday, July 27th, 2024 at around 1:25 AM, officers with the Cape Coral Police Department noticed a gray Dodge Challenger and black Mercedes two-door car take off at a high rate of speed northbound at the 800 block of Burnt Store Rd N, Cape Coral, Florida.
An officer got behind the vehicles and activated lights and sirens. At the 4000 block of Burnt Store Rd N, the officer pulled over the grey Dodge Challenger. The driver was identified by his license as Tyler Stephen Wessels (DOB 09/04/01). When the officer told him the reason for the stop, Wessels spontaneously said he was being reckless and speeding with another vehicle and understood the reason for the stop.
Based on the investigation, Tyler Stephen Wessels (above) was charged with:
—1 count in violation of F.S.S. 316.191(2)(a), Driver Participating in Street Racing
In accordance with state statute, Wessel’s vehicle was impounded and his license was seized.