FORT MYERS, Fla.- An anonymous Crime Stoppers tip led detectives to one of Lee County's most wanted murder suspects.

29-year-old Ignacio Rebollar was found at a home in Clewiston early Wednesday morning. He is one of three people accused of brutally beating Rey Escobar, a husband and father of four during a home invasion-robbery in February. Escobar's teenaged son, bound by the suspects, saw it all happen.

WINK News spoke exclusively with Escobar's family Wednesday afternoon.

His daughter, 10-year old Alondra, could barely get out the words when she talked about her father.

"He was a good person," she said before breaking down in tears.

Escobar was described as a quiet man, who generally kept to himself.

His wife, Maria, says he didn't know very many people in the area, but eventually befriended Ignacio Rebollar and Antonio Franco.

"He met them at work, they would go out after work to get to know one another," she said through a translator.

She could have never know, Rebollar and Franco would stand accused of brutally murdering her husband. Detectives say the men beat him with a bar stool and stabbed him.

Escobar's 13-year-old son, bound by the suspects, watched helplessly.

"This is a pain that no family can ever overcome," said Maria Escobar.

On the day of what would have been Rey's 37th birthday, there was a crack in the case.

An anonymous tip was called into the Crime Stoppers on Tuesday, leading detectives to Ignacio Rebollar in Clewiston.

Trish Routte, with Crime Stoppers, tells WINK News they had been getting tips he and Franco were in the Hendry County area, but they were never able to get him until now.

But, Antonio Franco was no where to be found and neither was a third, unidentified person.

Maria says the loss of Rey has taken a toll on her family, especially her 13-year-old son who watched his father die.

While an arrest will help bring closure, she says it will never give the answers as to why.

'He was a calm quiet person that did not mess with anyone, he did not like problems," said Maria.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Lee County Sheriff's Office or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-780-TIPS.

Crime Stoppers says the anonymous tipster giving them the information on Rebollar has already received a $1,000 cash reward for his arrest. Another $1,000 could be waiting for the person leading them to Antonio Franco.



CLEWISTON, Fla.- One of Lee County's most wanted suspects is now behind bars, thanks to an anonymous tip.

The Lee County U.S. Marshal's Fugitive Task Force arrested 29-year-old Ignacio Rebollar at a Clewiston home Wednesday morning.

A Crime Stoppers tip lead detectives to the home at 8560 County Road 833, where Rebollar was taken into custody without incident.

He is accused in the February murder of 36-year-old Rey Escobar in Fort Myers.

The Sheriff's Office says Rey was beaten with a bar stool and stabbed during a home invasion robbery. His 13-year-old son was bound by four suspects and witnessed his father's murder.

Rebollar is facing charges of first degree murder, kidnapping and home invasion robbery.

The Sheriff's Office says a second identified suspect, 26-year-old Antonio Franco, remains at-large.

Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to contact the Lee County Sheriff's Office at (239) 477-1000, or, to remain anonymous and be eligible for a reward, Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers at 1-800-780-TIPS (8477).