NORTH FORT MYERS, Fla. - In April 2008, the Lee County Sheriff's Office initiated an undercover investigation into questionable business dealings at Tiger Muffler, a metal recycling facility in North Fort Myers. A dramatic increase in burglaries and metal thefts in the county prompted the investigation.

The Lee County Sheriff's Office says as part of the three-and-a-half month operation, undercover detectives sold various metals on multiple occasions despite the suspects having knowledge the items were stolen.

Among the items presented as stolen goods were copper wiring, tubing, street signs, and catalytic converters.

The Sheriff's Office says during the transactions, the suspects knowingly allowed the undercover agents to use false names.

Those arrested are store owner Scott Ross, his employee Betty Bowker, and customer Mark Cass.

Deputies say Cass knowingly bought stolen items from undercover agents and then sold them to Tiger Mufflers.

Late Thursday night WINK News spoke to Stephen Ross, Scott's son. He says the allegations aren't true and Tiger Mufflers always operates within accordance to the law.