(July 5, 2024) — On July 4, 2024, at approximately 5:45 PM, Officers working for the Cape Coral Police Department were dispatched to a Motor Vehicle Theft in Progress.
The reporting party stated she caught a female stealing and driving away with her car. The reporting party was visiting a friend for a few minutes and left her vehicle running in the driveway. The female observed stealing the car was later identified as Evelyn Espino Galvez (DOB 05/30/1979).
Just as officers were putting out a description for the stolen vehicle, another officer located the stolen vehicle and initiated a traffic stop. The driver of the vehicle refused to stop. As officers were following the vehicle, another Cape Coral Police Officer successfully deployed Stopsticks (a tire deflation device), which deflated the tires of the stolen vehicle. Ms. Espino Galvez continued driving.
Ms. Espino Galvez began driving on the opposite side of the road and continued driving into Lee County. Lee County Aviation assisted officers in tracking its location. Ms. Espino Galvez attempted to stop and change her clothes to flee but was successfully stopped by a Deputy from the Lee County Sheriff’s Office.
Evelyn Espino Galvez was arrested and taken to the Lee County Jail with the following charges:
—2 counts in violation of F.S.S. 812.014 (2)(c)(6), Motor Vehicle Grand Theft, Third Degree Felony
—1 count in violation of F.S.S. 810.02 (4), Burglary of a Conveyance, Second Degree Felony
—1 count in violation of F.S.S. 316.1935(3)(A), Fleeing and Eluding Police with Disregard for the Safety of Persons or Property, Second Degree Felony
—1 count in violation of F.S.S. 322.03(1), Driving Without Valid License, Second Degree Misdemeanor
***We would like to thank our partnering agency, the Lee County Sheriff’s Office/Lee County Sheriff’s Aviation Unit. Your assistance was crucial in this arrest.
Arrested: Evelyn Espino Galvez (DOB 05/30/1979)