Cape Coral, FL — On September 21, 2026, at approximately 10:42 PM, Cape Coral Police officers responded to the 5300 block of Nautilus Drive following a report of a vehicle burglary in progress.
A resident reported observing a shirtless male exit a white SUV, walk up their driveway, and attempt to open the door of their unoccupied pickup truck. The door was locked, preventing entry. The victim witnessed the incident live on their home security system and reported the suspect had fled the area heading toward El Dorado Parkway East.
A description was issued to Cape Coral Police Department patrol units in the area. Shortly before 10:57 PM, an officer located the suspect vehicle—a white Lexus RX 350 SUV —parked backward in a driveway in the 1400 block of Wiltshire Court.
Upon locating the vehicle, an officer observed a male suspect standing on the passenger side. The suspect briefly ducked under the vehicle before fleeing south on foot toward a nearby canal, where he jumped into the water in an attempt to evade capture.
After swimming across the canal, the suspect exited on the opposite bank. Officers positioned in the area located and detained him in the 1400 block of Windsor Court.
Investigative checks identified the suspect as Antonio Palhares Desouza (DOB: 07/01/1983) of Cape Coral, who was also confirmed as the registered owner of the white Lexus SUV. Home security footage reviewed by investigators showed Desouza attempting to open the truck’s door before walking back to his vehicle, which matched the visual details captured on camera.
Following the investigation, Antonio Palhares Desouza was transported to Lee County Jail and charged with the following offenses:
Burglary of an Unoccupied Conveyance (F.S.S. 810.02(4b)) – 3rd Degree FelonyLoitering and Prowling (F.S.S. 856.021) – 2nd Degree MisdemeanorResisting an Officer Without Violence (F.S.S. 843.02) – 1st Degree Misdemeanor