Authorities seek Lee County machete wielding 7-Eleven thief

There are two convenience store robberies involving machetes – one happening Monday night in Lee County. Now, investigators are trying to figure out if there is a connection.

Two crimes, roughly 24 hours apart. The suspect in each not holding a knife or a gun. His weapon of choice was a machete. The latest crime happened Tuesday morning at a 7-Eleven off McGregor Blvd. in Lee County.

According to SWFL Crimestoppers, the suspect immediately jumped over the counter and demanded cash from all the registers around 3:15 a.m. After the clerk handed him an undisclosed amount of money, the suspect left the store and headed southbound on McGregor. The entire armed robbery took less than two minutes.

But hours before, around Monday at 2 a.m. in Cape Coral, a crime that was scary and similar. Employees told the police on Monday that the man stole $80 from the register. He wore a hoodie and backpack with a machete in his right hand.

Crimestoppers ask anyone with information on the identity and whereabouts of the suspect is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-780-TIPS (8477). All callers will remain anonymous and will be eligible for a cash reward of up to $3,000.

“There definitely are two very similar incidents two nights in a row,” said Trish Routte, with SWFL Crime Stoppers. “Both around the same time frame middle of the night both with a machete.”

Julia Pichicero, whose mother lives across the street from the 7-Eleven, said it was startling and hopes the man is captured soon. “It’s scary,” she said. “You don’t know what’s next what is he gonna walk in with next?”