Cape Coral, FL – December 3, 2025 – The Cape Coral Police Department has made several significant arrests related to a series of vehicle burglaries, residential thefts, and grand thefts that have affected neighborhoods in Cape Coral over the past month.
On November 7, 2025, officers responded to a reported vehicle burglary at a residence on SW 26th Ave. The victim reported that overnight, someone had broken into their vehicle and stolen several items, including a camouflage jacket, a softball bag, and cash. Surveillance footage from a neighbor’s security camera captured a male suspect carrying bulky items, including a jacket, away from the vehicle.
Over the following weeks, Property Crimes Detectives continued to connect Chinn to a growing number of crimes. On November 20, 2025, at approximately 2:38 p.m., a new burglary was reported at a residence on SW 38th Street. Upon reviewing the victim’s security footage, investigators observed a male on a pink bicycle approaching the house. The victim reported that a male had entered their garage and stolen a scooter valued at $1,000. The scooter had been modified with a trailer-style bike attachment featuring a red helmet and an American flag.
On November 22, 2025, at approximately 11:20 p.m., officers responded to SW 26th Pl. in Cape Coral regarding an unknown male seen walking around a new construction property. The male, later identified as Richard Steven Chinn (DOB: 06/04/1978), repeatedly avoided contact, fled from officers, and was ultimately located hiding behind trash cans in an area with recent burglaries. Officers discovered that Chinn had been seen wearing the Mossy Oak camouflage jacket believed to have been stolen during the November 7 burglary. Chinn was arrested and transported to the Lee County Jail for loitering and prowling and resisting an officer without violence.
Further investigation linked Chinn to another stolen item—the softball bag taken in the earlier vehicle burglary. Officers discovered that the stolen bag had been discarded in the garbage at a friend’s residence Chinn was known to frequent.
On December 2, 2025, detectives arrested Chinn at his residence after developing probable cause for his arrest. A search warrant executed at the location led to the discovery of stolen property within the home. The investigation remains ongoing.
Chinn is being held in the Lee County Jail on charges including burglary of an occupied dwelling, burglary of an unoccupied conveyance, grand theft, and petit theft.
The Cape Coral Police Department urges residents to remain vigilant, report any suspicious activity, and continue providing helpful information that can prevent crime in the community.
