(December 6, 2024) — On Monday, September 30, 2024, officers working for the Cape Coral Police Department responded to a reported motor vehicle theft in Southeast Cape Coral. The victim discovered their white 2011 Hyundai Santa Fe missing from their driveway after it was last seen at midnight. The vehicle had been left unlocked with the keys inside, and the theft was linked to reckless driving reports earlier that morning in Cape Coral.
Detectives later connected the vehicle to Sebastian Bertolotti (DOB 09/24/2008), a juvenile with a history of prior arrests. On the same day the Santa Fe was stolen, a Property Crimes Detective recognized and observed Bertolotti driving erratically in the Santa Fe. Bertolotti swerved to avoid a collision and proceeded to a parking lot off Santa Barbara Boulevard.
Shortly after, the vehicle was located by the Fort Myers Police Department (FMPD), where Bertolotti, under the influence of alcohol, was found passed out behind the wheel. FMPD officers arrested Bertolotti and charged him with multiple offenses, including Driving Under the Influence (DUI), giving false information to law enforcement, and driving without a license. The stolen vehicle was towed and later confirmed to be the same Santa Fe reported missing in Cape Coral.
Based on the investigation, Bertolotti was charged with Grand Theft of a Motor Vehicle, a felony of the third degree. Bertolotti was also connected with three other stolen vehicle cases:
On November 25, 2024, Bertolotti stole a 2006 Ford Freestyle from a driveway in Cape Coral. The vehicle was left unlocked with a hidden spare key.
On November 30, 2024, Bertolotti stole a 2025 red Mazda CX-90 from a Wawa in Cape Coral. The vehicle was left running and unattended. Surveillance footage showed a thin white male, later identified as Sabastian Bertolotti, stealing the vehicle.
On December 1, 2024, Bertolotti stole a 2018 Honda CR-V. The vehicle owner allowed their son to drive the car with permission. The car was stolen from the son later that night. Â The car was later recovered, but items multiple items were stolen from inside the vehicle.
Bertolotti was taken into custody and was transported to the Juvenile Assessment Center to be charged with the following:
–4 counts in violation of F.S.S. 812.014(2c6), Grand Theft of a Motor Vehicle, a Felony of the Third DegreeÂ
Arrested: Sebastian Kohl Bertolotti (DOB 09/24/2008)
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