Most Wanted Wednesday: We feature some of SWFL’s most wanted suspects; July 7

This weekly WINK News segment features fugitives from justice right here in Southwest Florida.

This is your chance to help out the community and give the tip that gets these people off the street. These suspects need to be found – and you can help. If you have seen them, reach out to Crime Stoppers or your local law enforcement. Call 1-800-780-TIPS (8477).

Here are three fugitives wanted by Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers.

Thomas Cook (DOB 12/21/66) – wanted in Lee County for violation of probation for his fourth DUI.

Cook was caught drunk behind the wheel at 10 in the morning, causing a crash with injuries. As it turns out, this was the fourth time he was busted for impaired driving.

He was also driving with a driver’s license that had been suspended indefinitely due to all his previous DUIs.

To date, he’s been booked locally 18 times before for charges that include contempt, being a deadbeat dad and all those DUIs. He’s also been busted in Seminole County.

He is 6’1”, 200 pounds and was last known to be living in North Fort Myers. He has a tattoo of a cross on his left wrist and upon his arrest, he will be held without bond.

Rolando Morales (DOB 10/18/91) – wanted in Collier County (Marco Island specifically) for lewd and lascivious battery.

According to detectives, Morales was courting a 15-year-old girl. In February 2020, Morales and the victim began having sexual relations, which ended up in her becoming pregnant, they say.

When the victim went to her OB/GYN, the staff noticed how old Rolando was and called the police. Since the warrant for his arrest was issued, Morales has gone into hiding.

He was last known to be living on Marco Island, but also has connections in Naples and Immokalee. He had been working for a local painting company but has recently left the job entirely.

He hasn’t been seen in several months and is believed to have friends in the area hiding him out from police.

Jerrell Smith (DOB 11/12/88) – wanted in Lee County for violation of probation for aggravated assault with a weapon and the possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

His current warrant stems from an incident where he lured an acquaintance to an apartment under the guise of smoking pot. When the man arrived, Smith pulled out a gun, while holding his forearm against the man’s throat, threatening to kill him and his family. He ended up stealing the victim’s phone, cash, personal ID and credit cards.

After being arrested for the crime, he was released on probation and has only been a free man for just about three months now, and already he’s back on law enforcement’s radar.

To date, he’s been booked 16 times in Lee and three times in Hendry for assault, armed robbery, battery, domestic violence, aggravated stalking, burglary, and theft. He’s also spent a year in prison for battery.

He is 5’6”, 185 pounds and may be moving back and forth between Clewiston and Lehigh. He’s got tattoos of RIP Lanette on his left arm and the name Ashton Ja’lie on his hand and upon his arrest, he will be held without bond.

---

If you have a tip on the whereabouts of any of these wanted suspects contact Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers. All callers will remain anonymous and will be eligible for a cash reward of up to $3,000.

Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers
1-800-780-TIPS (8477) or
southwestfloridacrimestoppers.com