Cape Coral robbery suspect arrested after fleeing from police

Writer: Matthew Seaver
Published: Updated:
John Douglas Smith
John Douglas Smith (Credit: Cape Coral Police Department)

A man is under arrest after police say he robbed a 7-Eleven in Cape Coral on Sunday.

Cape Coral police say John Douglas Smith, 25, entered the 7-Eleven on Chiquita Blvd S and demanded money from the store clerk.

The clerk told police that Smith then went behind the counter and went on a hostile rant. He was seen leaving the store in a silver four-door Honda after he noticed customers inside the store calling the police.

Smith did not get away with any money.

The store clerk called 911 after Smith left, and police were able to track down the car that matched the description provided by the store employees.

Cape Coral police attempted a traffic stop, but instead, Smith continued to drive north along Burnt Store Road, crossing over US-41 at Jones Loop before getting on I-75. Officers were able to stop Smith’s car with a tire deflation device on I-75 southbound near mile marker 151.

Charlotte County Sheriff’s deputies were on the scene to assist in Smith’s arrest.

Cape police say Smith was acting manic after his arrest and threatened to shoot one of the officers in the head.

At the time of his arrest, Smith was on probation for a previous robbery at a Circle K in south Fort Myers.

Smith faces charges of robbery, fleeing from police, threatening a law enforcement officer, and a probation violation. He is being held in the Lee County Jail without bond for the probation violation.

He is set to be back in court on June 6.

Copyright ©2024 Fort Myers Broadcasting. All rights reserved.

This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without prior written consent.