Cape Coral, FL – On May 21, 2026, officers with the Cape Coral Police Department responded to a residence in Northwest Cape Coral, Florida in reference to an armed home-invasion robbery.
Upon arrival, officers contacted an adult male victim who reported he was asleep when two males entered his bedroom, pistol-whipped him, and stole items from his home.
Detectives with the Violent Crimes Unit responded and assumed the investigation. The victim stated he recognized one of the suspects as “Palmer” and said the second male was often with him. The victim reported both suspects struck him with a black handgun, pointed handguns at him throughout the incident, and threatened to kill him while searching his room and taking his money and wallet. Home surveillance video from the residence corroborated the victim’s account of events and showed the suspects leaving the scene in a dark blue Pontiac.
Through investigative efforts, including the use of law enforcement databases and interviews, detectives identified two suspects: Palmer J. Aikens (DOB 12/27/1984) and Steven P. Ryan (DOB 07/16/1981). Detectives learned Ryan owns a dark blue Pontiac matching the vehicle observed on surveillance and in the area of the victim’s residence around the time of the offense.
Detectives later located both Ryan and Aikens traveling in Ryan’s vehicle in Cape Coral. A high-risk traffic stop was conducted, and Aikens and Ryan were taken into custody.
Based on the totality of the investigation, Detectives determined there was probable cause to arrest Palmer J. Aikens and Steven P. Ryan. They were taken to the Lee County Jail and charged with the following:
- Home Invasion Robbery with a Firearm, F.S.S. 812.135(2)(a)
- Possession of a Weapon/Ammo by a Convicted Felon, F.S.S. 790.23(1a)
