News

Bolting Burglars Bumped and Busted

Thursday, June 21, 2012

Two violent career criminals from the Miami area, with nearly 70 arrests between them, had their day abruptly ended by the Lee County Sheriff’s Office Highway Interdiction Unit yesterday.  On Wednesday, June 20, 2012, at approximately 2:15 p.m., a detective was conducting patrol on I-75 near mile marker 131 in Fort Myers. The detective attempted to stop a gold colored, 2000, Toyota Camry occupied by two male subjects for speeding.  The vehicle, reported stolen out of Homestead, Florida, sped away.  Apparently, their actions damaged the engine which caused it to begin smoking.  The detective discontinued pursuit, but was able to follow the trail of heavy smoke to the Botanica Lakes subdivision where the vehicle was located disabled after impacting a utility pole. 

The detective observed the two suspects run away from the car.  Soon thereafter, screams could be heard coming from a residence as the felons stole keys to a white, 2012 Fiat.  The newly stolen vehicle was seen leaving the garage and again speeding away.  A description was relayed to converging patrol units including another member of the Highway Interdiction Unit. 

The car exited Botanica Lakes and traveled south on Treeline Avenue at a high rate of speed.  The driver disregarded the lights and sirens of deputies and the second Highway Interdiction Unit performed a PIT (Precision Immobilization Technique) ending the pursuit north of the Daniels Parkway intersection.  The stolen car rolled over and the passenger was ejected. He sustained non-life threatening injuries and was taken to the hospital, as was the driver.  The driver did not sustain injury and was transported to jail. 

Detectives recovered items commonly used in burglaries and vehicle thefts in the stolen Toyota including bolt cutters, pry tools and others.  Detectives have learned the passenger was currently released on bond on charges in Miami Dade for a March, 2012 burglary and grand theft; April, 2012 for aggravated assault and vehicle theft; May, 2012 for Aggravated Assault on law enforcement and Burglary of a Dwelling. He has nearly 35 other arrests for crimes and has over 15 prior arrests for burglary.

As a result of the investigation into yesterday's events, both suspects face the following charges: 

 Osmil Diaz, (DOB: 06/05/73) of 2010 NW 33 St, Miami, Florida (driver). 

• Occupied burglary of a residence
• Grand theft motor vehicle (2 counts)
• Fleeing and Eluding (2 counts)
• Resisting arrest without violence
• Driving while suspended 3 or more convictions (2 counts)
• Leaving the scene of an accident with property damage
• Petit Theft 3rd Degree

Modesto Guzman, (DOB: 05/10/80) of 8340 NW 8th St N Apt.1, Miami, Florida (passenger - booking pending release from the hospital).

• Occupied burglary of a residence
• Grand theft motor vehicle (2 counts)
• Petit Theft 3rd degree
• Resisting arrest without violence

 Media inquiries are directed to Public Information Officer at 239-477-1340.