by CONNOR HOLMES
published in the Cape Coral Daily Breeze 4/4/09
A Cape Coral man wanted in connection with the slaying of his girlfriend was detained by sheriff's deputies at an Ohio hotel Friday after a struggle that led to his being wounded by gunfire.
Matthew Gullett, accused of killing Shannon Sweet in their Cape Coral apartment, was found at a Best Value Inn at 4925 East Pike in Zanesville, Ohio.
Gullett was shot during a struggle with deputies in the parking lot there, according to Muskingum County Sheriff Matthew Lutz. He was taken to Grant Hospital in Columbus where he was in critical condition Friday evening, Lutz said.
No Sheriff's Office personnel were hurt.
Local police had contacted authorities in Ohio, telling them to be on the lookout for the stolen 1995 Cadillac El Dorado Gullett was believed to be driving, Lutz said. He said Gullett was a former resident of Zanesville.
In July of 2003 in Zanesville, Gullett was sentenced to serve four years in prison for burglary, grand theft auto and theft under $500, according to court documents. In 2005, Gullett was placed on three years of community control and was required to complete a Licking-Muskingum Community Correction Program, which he completed July of that year, documents state.
Documents also state Gullett was later found to have violated his probation by testing positive for cocaine, associating with a sexually-oriented offender, violating curfew and failing to make regular reports to Probation Supervisor Wil Champlin.
Deputies spotted the stolen Cadillac Friday at the hotel and attempted to clear neighboring rooms, however Gullett fled, which led to the struggle, officials said.
Cape Coral police have issued a warrant for Gullett's arrest for second-degree murder in the death of Sweet, whose body was found in their apartment at 4921 Coronado Parkway, Unit 3. Officers discovered Sweet's body Monday morning and deemed the death a homicide. Two Cape Coral detectives left Friday for Ohio following Gullett's apprehension, officials said,
Lutz contacted the Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation to conduct an independent investigation into the shooting.
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Woman accused of setting fire to Cape Coral home
by CONNOR HOLMES
published in the Cape Coral Daily Breeze 4/4/09
A Cape Coral woman intentionally set fire to a Cape Coral rental home Tuesday morning, according to an investigation by the State Fire Marshal's Office.
Dawn Marie Cinelli, 44, was charged with 1st-degree arson Friday after admitting to state investigators she had set fire to a bed in the home, located at 1770 Emerald Cove Circle, said city spokesperson Connie Barron.
Cinelli rented at the home with Brian Derby, though Cinelli was the only person in the home when the fire occurred at about 2:21 a.m., officials said. Neighbors said Derby and Cinelli had been renting at the home for approximately six months before the incident.
After 18 local firefighters and six fire units put out the fire, which had fully engulfed the home and caused about $200,000 in damages, they contacted the Lee County Arson Task Force and the State Fire Marshal's Office to investigate the suspicious nature of the fire, Barron said.
"As a result of that investigation, the cause of the fire was determined to be arson," Barron said.
Cinelli did not respond to an interview request by the Breeze.
During an interview between Cinelli and investigators, Cinelli reportedly admitted to setting fire to a bed in the home. Information as to a possible motive for the fire was not available Friday evening.
Cinelli initially told firefighters she awoke to a smoke alarm and fled the home.
Next-door neighbors Charles and Barbara Polandick called 911 after Cinelli knocked on their front door asking for help, they said.
"I feel sorry for her, I really do," Barbara said of Cinelli Friday, after hearing of the alleged arson. "I hope she gets the help she needs in prison. I seem to think I guess a lot of people do things in rage. I don't know, maybe there's more to her life than we know."
The Polandicks watched from outside Tuesday morning as the fire raging in Cinelli's home licked at their house, at 1768 Emerald Cove Circle.
The flames melted a water purifier system that will cost the Polandicks $3,000 to replace, a phone box and roof tiles, as well as burned palm trees that will likely have to be removed, Barbara said.
Now the couple is going through the process of getting quotes for the roof damage and possibly being forced to file a claim with their insurance company, with a $1,000 deductible, she said.
"I said, 'Why should I file a claim?'" Barbara said. "I'm not the one who burned my house down, practically."
Despite the monetary headaches the fire has caused her, Barbara said she's relieved no one was hurt and that the Cape Coral Fire Department acted quickly.
"I can't thank the Fire Department enough for saving my home," she said. "I'm just glad (Cinelli) woke up when she did."
The homeowners, Lawrence and Catherine Dluhos of North Fort Myers, said they didn't know Cinelli or Derby because the home was rented through a managing agency. The Dluhoses are in the process of filing a claim with their insurance company.
Cinelli was held in the Lee County Jail Friday evening without bond, according to jail booking records.
If convicted, Cinelli faces a possible maximum 30 years in prison for the crime.
published in the Cape Coral Daily Breeze 4/4/09
A Cape Coral woman intentionally set fire to a Cape Coral rental home Tuesday morning, according to an investigation by the State Fire Marshal's Office.
Dawn Marie Cinelli, 44, was charged with 1st-degree arson Friday after admitting to state investigators she had set fire to a bed in the home, located at 1770 Emerald Cove Circle, said city spokesperson Connie Barron.
Cinelli rented at the home with Brian Derby, though Cinelli was the only person in the home when the fire occurred at about 2:21 a.m., officials said. Neighbors said Derby and Cinelli had been renting at the home for approximately six months before the incident.
After 18 local firefighters and six fire units put out the fire, which had fully engulfed the home and caused about $200,000 in damages, they contacted the Lee County Arson Task Force and the State Fire Marshal's Office to investigate the suspicious nature of the fire, Barron said.
"As a result of that investigation, the cause of the fire was determined to be arson," Barron said.
Cinelli did not respond to an interview request by the Breeze.
During an interview between Cinelli and investigators, Cinelli reportedly admitted to setting fire to a bed in the home. Information as to a possible motive for the fire was not available Friday evening.
Cinelli initially told firefighters she awoke to a smoke alarm and fled the home.
Next-door neighbors Charles and Barbara Polandick called 911 after Cinelli knocked on their front door asking for help, they said.
"I feel sorry for her, I really do," Barbara said of Cinelli Friday, after hearing of the alleged arson. "I hope she gets the help she needs in prison. I seem to think I guess a lot of people do things in rage. I don't know, maybe there's more to her life than we know."
The Polandicks watched from outside Tuesday morning as the fire raging in Cinelli's home licked at their house, at 1768 Emerald Cove Circle.
The flames melted a water purifier system that will cost the Polandicks $3,000 to replace, a phone box and roof tiles, as well as burned palm trees that will likely have to be removed, Barbara said.
Now the couple is going through the process of getting quotes for the roof damage and possibly being forced to file a claim with their insurance company, with a $1,000 deductible, she said.
"I said, 'Why should I file a claim?'" Barbara said. "I'm not the one who burned my house down, practically."
Despite the monetary headaches the fire has caused her, Barbara said she's relieved no one was hurt and that the Cape Coral Fire Department acted quickly.
"I can't thank the Fire Department enough for saving my home," she said. "I'm just glad (Cinelli) woke up when she did."
The homeowners, Lawrence and Catherine Dluhos of North Fort Myers, said they didn't know Cinelli or Derby because the home was rented through a managing agency. The Dluhoses are in the process of filing a claim with their insurance company.
Cinelli was held in the Lee County Jail Friday evening without bond, according to jail booking records.
If convicted, Cinelli faces a possible maximum 30 years in prison for the crime.
Friday, April 3, 2009
Cape man guilty of DUI manslaughter in 2005 crash; Verdict reached in less than an hour
by CONNOR HOLMES
published in the Cape Coral Daily Breeze 4/3/09
A Cape Coral man was found guilty Thursday on multiple felony counts for a 2005 crash that left one person dead and two others hospitalized.
A Lee County jury convicted Bradley Todd Hill, 39, in connection to the death of Hilary Walters, 32, of Cape Coral. He was found guilty of DUI manslaughter, vehicular homicide, DUI causing property damage and two counts of DUI with serious bodily injury, according to State Attorney's Office spokesperson Samantha Syoen.
After several days of trial before Lee County Senior Circuit Judge Jack Schoonover, the jury found Hill guilty on all counts after only 56 minutes of deliberation, she said.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant State Attorney Orion Wright.
On Oct. 8, 2005, Hill ran a red light at Santa Barbara Boulevard and Trafalgar Parkway while under the influence of alcohol, slamming into the side of a Chevrolet Camero.
The driver of the Camero, Rachel Daniels, 29, of Cape Coral, and passenger Bradley White, 35, of New York, were injured in the crash. White, who was ejected from the car during the collision, and Daniels were taken to Lee Memorial Hospital and later released.
Walters, the rear seat passenger in the Camero, also was ejected during the crash. She died on scene from her injuries, according to officials.
Hill claimed at the time of the accident that he had the right of way and did not run a red light.
Syoen said Thursday that Hill remains in police custody without bond.
A sentencing date had not been set.
published in the Cape Coral Daily Breeze 4/3/09
A Cape Coral man was found guilty Thursday on multiple felony counts for a 2005 crash that left one person dead and two others hospitalized.
A Lee County jury convicted Bradley Todd Hill, 39, in connection to the death of Hilary Walters, 32, of Cape Coral. He was found guilty of DUI manslaughter, vehicular homicide, DUI causing property damage and two counts of DUI with serious bodily injury, according to State Attorney's Office spokesperson Samantha Syoen.
After several days of trial before Lee County Senior Circuit Judge Jack Schoonover, the jury found Hill guilty on all counts after only 56 minutes of deliberation, she said.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant State Attorney Orion Wright.
On Oct. 8, 2005, Hill ran a red light at Santa Barbara Boulevard and Trafalgar Parkway while under the influence of alcohol, slamming into the side of a Chevrolet Camero.
The driver of the Camero, Rachel Daniels, 29, of Cape Coral, and passenger Bradley White, 35, of New York, were injured in the crash. White, who was ejected from the car during the collision, and Daniels were taken to Lee Memorial Hospital and later released.
Walters, the rear seat passenger in the Camero, also was ejected during the crash. She died on scene from her injuries, according to officials.
Hill claimed at the time of the accident that he had the right of way and did not run a red light.
Syoen said Thursday that Hill remains in police custody without bond.
A sentencing date had not been set.
Police: Man exposes self to young girl
by CONNOR HOLMES
published in the Cape Coral Daily Breeze 4/3/09
A Cape Coral man is accused of lewd and lascivious behavior involving a 9-year-old girl.
Cape police have charged Donn Ahern, 74, of 5235 Coronado Parkway, Apt. 1, with lewd and lascivious exhibition with a victim younger than 16 years of age.
Ahern remained in the Lee County Jail on $50,000 bond Thursday evening, according to jail booking records.
The victim told her father that Ahern had exposed and touched himself in her presence on multiple occasions, city spokesperson Connie Barron reported. She asked her father sexual questions as well, and her father contacted Cape police with the allegations Feb. 14.
The Lee County Sheriff's Office served a warrant for Ahern's arrest following an investigation by the Children's Advocacy Center and Cape detectives.
Barron said the investigation revealed probable cause for Ahern's arrest.
published in the Cape Coral Daily Breeze 4/3/09
A Cape Coral man is accused of lewd and lascivious behavior involving a 9-year-old girl.
Cape police have charged Donn Ahern, 74, of 5235 Coronado Parkway, Apt. 1, with lewd and lascivious exhibition with a victim younger than 16 years of age.
Ahern remained in the Lee County Jail on $50,000 bond Thursday evening, according to jail booking records.
The victim told her father that Ahern had exposed and touched himself in her presence on multiple occasions, city spokesperson Connie Barron reported. She asked her father sexual questions as well, and her father contacted Cape police with the allegations Feb. 14.
The Lee County Sheriff's Office served a warrant for Ahern's arrest following an investigation by the Children's Advocacy Center and Cape detectives.
Barron said the investigation revealed probable cause for Ahern's arrest.
Cape police ask for help in locating accused killer
by CONNOR HOLMES
published in the Cape Coral Daily Breeze 4/3/09
Police are asking for the public's help in locating a man accused of killing his girlfriend in their south Cape Coral apartment.
Matthew Franklin Gullett, 29, is being sought for the second-degree homicide of Shannon Michelle Sweet, 27. Her body was discovered by police early Monday morning in the couple's apartment at 4921 Coronado Parkway, Unit 3.
Police have not yet released the manner in which Sweet was killed.
They are asking anyone who has knowledge of Gullett's whereabouts to contact the Cape Coral Police Department at 574-3223 or Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers at (800) 780-TIPS (8477).
Gullett is described as a white male, 5 feet 10 inches tall, weighing about 160 pounds. He has brown hair and brown eyes, and a "white pride" tattoo on his stomach. He may be driving a stolen 1995 white, two-door Cadillac El Dorado with Florida tag RDSTWRT.
Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers is teaming up with Cape police in attempting to locate Gullett and take him into custody, according to city spokesperson Connie Barron.
Tipsters who assist police in the case by using the Crime Stoppers hotline may be eligible for a cash reward of up to $1,000.
published in the Cape Coral Daily Breeze 4/3/09
Police are asking for the public's help in locating a man accused of killing his girlfriend in their south Cape Coral apartment.
Matthew Franklin Gullett, 29, is being sought for the second-degree homicide of Shannon Michelle Sweet, 27. Her body was discovered by police early Monday morning in the couple's apartment at 4921 Coronado Parkway, Unit 3.
Police have not yet released the manner in which Sweet was killed.
They are asking anyone who has knowledge of Gullett's whereabouts to contact the Cape Coral Police Department at 574-3223 or Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers at (800) 780-TIPS (8477).
Gullett is described as a white male, 5 feet 10 inches tall, weighing about 160 pounds. He has brown hair and brown eyes, and a "white pride" tattoo on his stomach. He may be driving a stolen 1995 white, two-door Cadillac El Dorado with Florida tag RDSTWRT.
Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers is teaming up with Cape police in attempting to locate Gullett and take him into custody, according to city spokesperson Connie Barron.
Tipsters who assist police in the case by using the Crime Stoppers hotline may be eligible for a cash reward of up to $1,000.
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Authorities open investigation into morning house fire; Incident is suspicious
by CONNOR HOLMES
published in the Cape Coral Daily Breeze 4/1/09
The Lee County Arson Unit is investigating a suspicious house fire at 1770 Emerald Cove Circle that occurred early Tuesday morning.
The home was completely destroyed in the fire, which firefighters responded to at approximately 2:21 a.m., according to city spokesperson Connie Barron.
Fire department officials estimated $200,000 in damages.
A single female resident escaped the fire after waking to the smoke alarm, Barron said.
Nextdoor neighbors Charles and Barbara Polandick called 911 when the resident, who they said is named "Dawn," knocked on their door for help.
"That house got engulfed so fast, I don't know what happened," Barbara said. "I was across the street and it looked like my house was on fire."
Their house was not on fire, but the flames were so large they were blown by the wind from the roof of the flaming house over the Polandicks' roof, only feet away.
The fire melted a water purifier and telephone box, as well as caused roof damage, Barbara said.
"That fire was too far gone to help anything," Chuck said. "It was unbelievable. The fire department and police department should be commended highly. The city of Cape Coral should be very proud of these people."
He said Dawn had been renting the home with another person for about six months prior to the fire, but only Dawn was in the home when it erupted in flames.
Chuck said he and his wife know the two only through brief interactions, however they are generally nice people.
It took 18 firefighters and six fire units about an hour to put out the fire. No other homes were damaged and no one was injured in the incident, Barron said.
"It's the first fire in this whole community since it was built," Chuck said.
The Polandicks have lived in the Emerald Cove gated community for six of the 13 years since it was established.
The Lee County American Red Cross is assisting the resident of the burned home by providing her with food, clothing, shoes and a place to stay at a local hotel, according to spokesperson Colin Downey.
"Our volunteers are trained to identify specific needs in each situation," he said. "This is a pretty typical response by the Red Cross."
Downey said for a family of four involved in a single-family structure fire, the Red Cross typically distributes about $1,000 to $1,500.
Residents can help the Lee County American Red Cross continue to support those in need in times of disaster by visiting: arclcc.org or by calling 278-3401.
Lawrence and Catherine Dluhos of North Fort Myers own the property. However, they rented it out through a management company so they do not know much about the renters, Catherine said Tuesday afternoon.
"We're just working with the insurance company," she said.
Catherine said she is glad no one got hurt as a result of the fire.
"That's the important thing," she said.
The cause of the fire has not yet been revealed.
published in the Cape Coral Daily Breeze 4/1/09
The Lee County Arson Unit is investigating a suspicious house fire at 1770 Emerald Cove Circle that occurred early Tuesday morning.
The home was completely destroyed in the fire, which firefighters responded to at approximately 2:21 a.m., according to city spokesperson Connie Barron.
Fire department officials estimated $200,000 in damages.
A single female resident escaped the fire after waking to the smoke alarm, Barron said.
Nextdoor neighbors Charles and Barbara Polandick called 911 when the resident, who they said is named "Dawn," knocked on their door for help.
"That house got engulfed so fast, I don't know what happened," Barbara said. "I was across the street and it looked like my house was on fire."
Their house was not on fire, but the flames were so large they were blown by the wind from the roof of the flaming house over the Polandicks' roof, only feet away.
The fire melted a water purifier and telephone box, as well as caused roof damage, Barbara said.
"That fire was too far gone to help anything," Chuck said. "It was unbelievable. The fire department and police department should be commended highly. The city of Cape Coral should be very proud of these people."
He said Dawn had been renting the home with another person for about six months prior to the fire, but only Dawn was in the home when it erupted in flames.
Chuck said he and his wife know the two only through brief interactions, however they are generally nice people.
It took 18 firefighters and six fire units about an hour to put out the fire. No other homes were damaged and no one was injured in the incident, Barron said.
"It's the first fire in this whole community since it was built," Chuck said.
The Polandicks have lived in the Emerald Cove gated community for six of the 13 years since it was established.
The Lee County American Red Cross is assisting the resident of the burned home by providing her with food, clothing, shoes and a place to stay at a local hotel, according to spokesperson Colin Downey.
"Our volunteers are trained to identify specific needs in each situation," he said. "This is a pretty typical response by the Red Cross."
Downey said for a family of four involved in a single-family structure fire, the Red Cross typically distributes about $1,000 to $1,500.
Residents can help the Lee County American Red Cross continue to support those in need in times of disaster by visiting: arclcc.org or by calling 278-3401.
Lawrence and Catherine Dluhos of North Fort Myers own the property. However, they rented it out through a management company so they do not know much about the renters, Catherine said Tuesday afternoon.
"We're just working with the insurance company," she said.
Catherine said she is glad no one got hurt as a result of the fire.
"That's the important thing," she said.
The cause of the fire has not yet been revealed.
Police search for suspect in death investigation; Boyfriend accused of homicide
by CONNOR HOLMES
published in the Cape Coral Daily Breeze 4/1/09
A body discovered in a Cape Coral home Monday morning has been identified by police as 27-year-old Shannon Michelle Sweet.
A warrant for the arrest of Sweet's live-in boyfriend, Matthew Franklin Gullett, 29, has been issued. He is wanted on the charge of second-degree homicide.
Sweet's decaying body was discovered by police in a unit of the apartment building at 4921 Coronado Parkway at about 7:56 a.m., after a neighbor reported a foul odor coming from the unit, according to city spokesperson Connie Barron.
Sweet and Gullet lived in Unit 3 of the building, she said.
At the time the police department had ruled Sweet's death suspicious, but had not indicated it was a homicide.
The manner in which Sweet was killed had not yet been revealed Tuesday night.
Barron said the condition of Sweet's body initially made it difficult for the District 21 Medical Examiner's Office to identify her.
Gullett's whereabouts were unknown as of Tuesday night.
Police are asking anyone with information about his location or the case to contact the Cape Coral Police Department at 574-3223 or Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers at (800) 780-TIPS (8477).
Brandon Thornburg, a resident who lives at a neighboring apartment building, told the Cape Coral Daily Breeze on Monday that he had met a "Matt" the previous Saturday and knew Matt had a girlfriend, "Shannon," whom he had never met.
"He came over and asked me if I had a cigarette," he said. "He asked me how much I paid for my apartment. I was drinking a beer, but he said he doesn't drink."
Thornburg said he knew another resident of the apartment building, "Ginny," who told him she had smelled the decaying body and was at the police station talking with officers Monday afternoon.
According to police documents, Ginny Lee is a resident of the apartment building where Sweet's body was found.
Lee did not immediately return phone calls seeking comment.
A previous death in the same apartment building occurred in June, according to police documents.
Barron said the 2008 death was caused by a drug overdose.
Documents show the deceased was a former resident.
published in the Cape Coral Daily Breeze 4/1/09
A body discovered in a Cape Coral home Monday morning has been identified by police as 27-year-old Shannon Michelle Sweet.
A warrant for the arrest of Sweet's live-in boyfriend, Matthew Franklin Gullett, 29, has been issued. He is wanted on the charge of second-degree homicide.
Sweet's decaying body was discovered by police in a unit of the apartment building at 4921 Coronado Parkway at about 7:56 a.m., after a neighbor reported a foul odor coming from the unit, according to city spokesperson Connie Barron.
Sweet and Gullet lived in Unit 3 of the building, she said.
At the time the police department had ruled Sweet's death suspicious, but had not indicated it was a homicide.
The manner in which Sweet was killed had not yet been revealed Tuesday night.
Barron said the condition of Sweet's body initially made it difficult for the District 21 Medical Examiner's Office to identify her.
Gullett's whereabouts were unknown as of Tuesday night.
Police are asking anyone with information about his location or the case to contact the Cape Coral Police Department at 574-3223 or Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers at (800) 780-TIPS (8477).
Brandon Thornburg, a resident who lives at a neighboring apartment building, told the Cape Coral Daily Breeze on Monday that he had met a "Matt" the previous Saturday and knew Matt had a girlfriend, "Shannon," whom he had never met.
"He came over and asked me if I had a cigarette," he said. "He asked me how much I paid for my apartment. I was drinking a beer, but he said he doesn't drink."
Thornburg said he knew another resident of the apartment building, "Ginny," who told him she had smelled the decaying body and was at the police station talking with officers Monday afternoon.
According to police documents, Ginny Lee is a resident of the apartment building where Sweet's body was found.
Lee did not immediately return phone calls seeking comment.
A previous death in the same apartment building occurred in June, according to police documents.
Barron said the 2008 death was caused by a drug overdose.
Documents show the deceased was a former resident.
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