SW Florida Crime Stoppers adds Cape man to ‘wanted’ list; Perez sought for alleged role in attempted killing

By CONNOR HOLMES
published in the Cape Coral Daily Breeze 7/8/09

A Cape Coral man, still on the run Monday from authorities following a June 25 torture and beating incident, has been added to Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers' 10 Most Wanted Criminals list, officials said.

Oscar Perez Jr. is wanted on charges of attempted second-degree murder, two counts of kidnapping, home invasion robbery and grand theft of a motor vehicle after police say he and three other men beat, tortured and attempted to kill a Cape man over an unpaid debt to Perez's mother.

Cape Coral police announced Friday that they had issued a warrant for the arrest of Perez, 27.

Perez and three others are accused of beating and torturing the victim in Perez's mother's home in her presence, and later in the presence of the victim's wife. According to police reports, they also stole various things from the victim's home, including a car, and threatened his wife and children with violence.

Perez's mother, Luz Huyo, has been charged with kidnapping, aggravated battery, home invasion robbery, larceny and vehicle theft in the incident.

Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers continues to reach out to the public for tips on where Perez or others involved in the incident might be located.

The organization now regards Perez among nine other accused killers, robbers and sexual abusers who threaten Lee County and remain on the run from law enforcement officials, according to Crime Stoppers coordinator Trish Routte.

"Being named as one of Crime Stoppers' Most Wanted puts Perez in a group of individuals who pose an absolute threat to our community," Routte said Monday in a prepared statement. "Anyone who could exhibit that level of torture and violence upon another human being is definitely deserving of the status as one of our most sought after criminals who needs to be put in jail where he can do no further harm."

Anyone with information regarding Perez's whereabouts or that of the three others involved in the incident is urged to anonymously call Crime Stoppers at (800) 780-TIPS (8477) and become eligible for $1,000 in reward money.