(May 12, 2025) — On May 6, 2025, at around 3:40 AM, officers with the Cape Coral Police Department responded to a home in Southeast Cape Coral in reference to a robbery.
Officers met with the victim, who said he was picked up at his residence earlier in the evening by a female named Gabriela Reyes (DOB 12/20/2006), who he met a few days earlier. The victim stated Reyes drove them to a home off Country Club Blvd near SE 6th Pl, which she said was a short-term rental. The victim said that once they were parked, Reyes exited the car in a hurry and went inside the residence.
A few minutes later, the victim said Reyes and an unknown black male, described as 16-20 years old, wearing all black clothing, walked up to the car and talked to him for a few minutes. The victim said that he walked into the rear of the home with Reyes and the male to avoid cameras in the front of the house. The victim said he and Reyes went into the master bedroom, where she closed the door behind them. A few minutes later, the victim said three masked males entered the room, each holding a gun and demanding money from the victim. The victim said that he offered his phone to the masked men and said that he had a “CashApp” account with $54. One of the masked males used the victim’s phone to send $54 to Reyes via CashApp. All three males immediately left the residence with Reyes and got into her black Nissan sedan. The victim was able to give detailed descriptions of the three male suspects.
An officer driving to the scene to assist observed a black Nissan sedan driving east on Veterans Pkwy, then turning south on Del Prado Blvd S. The black Nissan made a U-turn without yielding to oncoming traffic, causing the other vehicles to brake. The officer initiated a traffic stop on the black Nissan and began walking up to the vehicle’s driver-side door. The officer observed a female driver look at him, and then drive away from the traffic stop. The officer followed the car into a nearby neighborhood and found it parked in the driveway of a home on SE 21st Lane. The Nissan sustained front-end damage with both front airbags deployed, was leaking oil, and both front doors were left open with no occupants inside.
Later that day, the victim identified Reyes in a photo lineup as the female suspect. A check of the black Nissan’s license plate revealed that it was registered to her mother.
At approximately 9:19 PM that same day, officers were dispatched to a past Motor Vehicle Theft at 835 NW 30th St, Cape Coral, Florida. The call notes stated that a Nissan Sentra was stolen from the driveway sometime overnight. Officers spoke with Gabriela Reyes and her mother, who both completed sworn written statements reporting the theft of the black Nissan.
Detectives contacted the owner of the home where the robbery occurred. The owner stated he did not give anyone permission to enter, and his home is not a short-term rental. He said he wished to press charges.
On May 7, 2025, officers arrested Gabriela Reyes (DOB 12/20/2006) after she tried to report the Nissan as stolen. She was taken to the Lee County Jail and faces the following charges:
–1 count in violation of F.S.S.316.1935(1), Fleeing/Eluding Police
–1 count in violation of F.S.S.837.05(1)(a), Making a False Report to Police
–1 count in violation of F.S.S.316.063(1), Hit and Run
–1 count in violation of F.S.S.322.03(1), Operating Motor Vehicle without Valid License
–1 count in violation of F.S.S.812.13(2)(a), Robbery
–1 count in violation of F.S.S.810.02(2)(a), Burglary
Arrested: Gabriela Reyes (DOB 12/20/2006)
Throughout the investigation, detectives were able to identify the other three suspects.
On May 7, 2025, at around 6:05 PM, Gianfranco Romero (07/14/2008) was arrested for probation violation for being outside his home past 6 PM. He was taken transported to the Cape Coral Police Department. After an interview, he was arrested and taken to the Lee County Juvenile Assessment Center on the following charges:
–1 count in violation of F.S.S. 985.101(1)(d), Violation of Probation
–1 count in violation of F.S.S. 812.13(2)(a), Robbery with a Firearm
–1 count in violation of F.S.S. 810.02(2)(b), Armed Burglary
Arrested: Gianfranco Romero (07/14/2008)
One of the other two suspects was identified as Latavious Peterson (DOB 08/07/2007). On May 8, after an interview, he was taken to the Lee County Juvenile Assessment Center on the following charges:
–1 count in violation of F.S.S. 812.13(2)(a), Robbery with a Firearm
–1 count in violation of F.S.S. 810.02(2)(b), Armed Burglary
Arrested: Latavious Peterson (DOB 08/07/2007)
The other suspect was identified as Karmell Peterson (DOB 01/06/2009). On May 8, after an interview, he was taken to the Lee County Juvenile Assessment Center on the following charges:
–1 count in violation of F.S.S. 812.13(2)(a), Robbery with a Firearm
–1 count in violation of F.S.S. 810.02(2)(b), Armed Burglary
Arrested: Karmell Peterson (DOB 01/06/2009)