Burglars arrested after leading CCSO deputies on high-speed chase

NORTH NAPLES, Fla. – Two Miami men are accused of breaking in to several plumbing vans outside a Naples business and leading deputies on a high-speed chase.

Only WINK News was there as Lazaro Hidalgo and Rodney Fresco were arrested when the chase came to an end Sunday night on U.S. 41 near Clam Pass.

“We figure that they got anywhere from $10,000 – $20,000 in merchandise,” said Shannon Fiterman, office manager at Four Star Plumbing.

Surveillance video captured the suspects taking off just before midnight. One of the plumbers happened to be there at the time when he heard some noises.

“I see a vehicle parked over here with the doors open on the van there, so I called the sheriff department and within a minute, a minute and a half, I was out front the cops were coming as they were pulling out and they started chasing them and the rest is history I suppose,” said Josh Weaver.

Deputies said Hidalgo and Fresco reached speeds of 120 miles an hour until they got to Clam Pass and stopped the car. The pair then took off running, ended up in the water, and that’s when deputies were able to catch up to them.

“We’re very happy that they did get them,” said Fiterman.

Deputies filled evidence bags with Four Star Plumbing’s equipment that was found in the back seat of the suspects’ car.

“They damaged three of the vans and one of our trailers trying to get in. They took a lot of our plumbing tools and equipment so it put us out for a little bit today, but hopefully we’ll get our equipment back tomorrow,” said Fiterman.

WINK News has learned several other companies in that area have been burglarized in the past few weeks. The Collier County Sheriff’s Office is looking into whether or not the crimes are connected.