Officer catches 19-year-old driver racing through Cape Coral traffic before arrest on alcohol charge

An apparent late-night street race between three vehicles in Cape Coral led to a 19-year-old driver being put behind bars.A Cape Coral police officer was patrolling near the 1900 block of Veterans Memorial Parkway East on Wednesday night at approximately 10:30 p.m. when the officer reportedly saw the vehicle maneuvering dangerously through traffic.According to the Cape Coral Police Department, the officer’s radar showed one of the vehicles was traveling at 85 mph in a posted 50-mph zone. The officer was able to stop one of the vehicles.The officer arrested the driver, identified as Culel Shirley, 19, on one count of street racing. After the officer placed Shirley in the patrol vehicle, Shirley asked the officer to retrieve his wallet from a bag inside the Jeep. According to CCPD, the officer found two unopened cans of Nutrl alcoholic beverages inside the bag. CCPD said that due to Shirley’s wallet being stored inside the same bag as the alcohol, probable cause was established, and Shirley is also facing a charge of possession of alcohol by a minor.The officer also reportedly saw an empty Nutrl can inside the vehicle.Shirley was taken to the Lee County Jail.DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment, and more on your phone or tablet. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment, and original programming on your TV.

CAPE CORAL, Fla. —

An apparent late-night street race between three vehicles in Cape Coral led to a 19-year-old driver being put behind bars.

A Cape Coral police officer was patrolling near the 1900 block of Veterans Memorial Parkway East on Wednesday night at approximately 10:30 p.m. when the officer reportedly saw the vehicle maneuvering dangerously through traffic.

According to the Cape Coral Police Department, the officer’s radar showed one of the vehicles was traveling at 85 mph in a posted 50-mph zone. The officer was able to stop one of the vehicles.

The officer arrested the driver, identified as Culel Shirley, 19, on one count of street racing. After the officer placed Shirley in the patrol vehicle, Shirley asked the officer to retrieve his wallet from a bag inside the Jeep. According to CCPD, the officer found two unopened cans of Nutrl alcoholic beverages inside the bag. CCPD said that due to Shirley’s wallet being stored inside the same bag as the alcohol, probable cause was established, and Shirley is also facing a charge of possession of alcohol by a minor.

The officer also reportedly saw an empty Nutrl can inside the vehicle.

Shirley was taken to the Lee County Jail.

DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment, and more on your phone or tablet. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment, and original programming on your TV.