CAPE CORAL, Fla. (CBS12) — Newly uncovered video on Thursday shows a stolen car being deliberately set on fire, which led Cape Coral Police to arrest three juveniles in connection with an arson and vehicle theft investigation.
Further investigation revealed cellphone footage of the fire, showing two suspects igniting the stolen vehicle while a third recorded the incident. Detectives were able to positively identify all three individuals using investigative techniques, according to the Cape Coral Police Department.
The investigation began on June 22, 2025, when officers responded to Northwest 4th Place for a reported vehicle theft. Police said a Honda Civic was stolen from the residence, and a second vehicle was burglarized. Investigators later determined the key fob had been left inside the stolen car.
On June 23, officers were dispatched to a vehicle fire near the intersection of Chiquita Boulevard and Jacaranda Parkway. Authorities later confirmed the burned vehicle was the same Honda Civic reported stolen the previous day.
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The case advanced on June 27 when an officer conducting traffic enforcement in northwest Cape Coral stopped a vehicle for speeding. Police said probable cause was established to search the vehicle, leading to the discovery of a stolen handgun. The occupants were identified as Landin Lee Ahrens, Jaydin Chase Kempton, and Ahren M. Edelman.
Ahrens was charged with second-degree arson. Edelman faces charges of second-degree arson and grand theft of a motor vehicle. Kempton was charged with second-degree arson, motor vehicle theft, burglary of a motor vehicle, and petit theft.
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Police said the investigation remains ongoing.