(December 18, 2024) — The Cape Coral Police Department has made significant arrests in recent criminal investigations involving theft and property damage. Steven Michael Newman (DOB (08/24/1989) is facing multiple charges.
On December 6, 2024, a suspect was seen on surveillance footage damaging a mailbox at a business near the 4000-block of Orchid Boulevard. The individual, later identified as Steven Newman, used a knife to pry open the mailbox, causing permanent damage estimated at $440. The mailbox was empty at the time, and nothing was stolen. The reporting officer put out the suspect’s picture and sent it to the police department to ask for help with identification.
On December 17, 2024, officers working for the Cape Coral Police Department conducted a traffic stop on a brown Kia. During the stop, a K-9 alerted to the presence of narcotics in the vehicle, leading to the discovery of narcotics paraphernalia, a backpack, and a stolen bicycle. The backpack belonged to the passenger of the vehicle, and it contained numerous pieces of personal identification information, including names, addresses, and social security numbers. Officers recognized the passenger, Newman, from the photo put out for identification related to the criminal mischief investigation.
The investigation revealed that Newman broke into and stole mail from various mailboxes in the area. Newman was found in possession of stolen mail, including personal identification information. He was arrested and taken to the Lee County Jail.
Earlier that morning on December 17, 2024, officers responded to a theft report where a bicycle had been stolen from a secured location behind a local business. The owner of the business also reported damage to a cement bench, valued at approximately $1,000, caused by the suspect. Officers were informed that the suspect in their case was Newman, who was arrested earlier that morning. They responded to the Lee County Jail and added additional charges to the case for theft and criminal mischief.
Economic Crimes Detectives were working on a case with Newman from October 29, 2024. They were additionally able to tie him to a case for fraudulently using identification without consent, possessing stolen checks, and possessing additional personal identification information. Further investigation revealed some of the banking account information from the mail had victim’s names on them but had the mailing address as Newman’s residence.
Newman was ultimately charged with the following:Â
–1 count in violation of F.S.S. 812.014(2), Petit TheftÂ
–2 counts in violation F.S.S. 806.13(1b3), Criminal MischiefÂ
–1 count in violation of F.S.S 817.568, Criminal Use of Personal Identification InformationÂ
–1 count in violation of F.S.S. 817.568(2c), Use of ID of another without consent for 50k dollars or more
–1 count in violation of F.S.S. 817/034(4b2), Fraud/Communicate to defraud property
Further related investigations are ongoing.
***As a reminder, it is essential to shred your personal information. Cross-cut shredders are your best option to ensure that if you throw away information into the trash, it stays. Detectives have found that throughout multiple different investigations, Newman was in possession of over two-hundred victims’ personal identification information.
Arrested: Steven M. Newman (DOB 08/24/1989)
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