Fort Myers, FL - Robbery Suspect Captured Stealing Police Car

Found Jan 16, 2006

Police arrested a 23-year-old Fort Myers man Thursday night and had to secure him again after he almost escaped from inside a squad car.

Police said Johnny Nelson, of 4224 Michigan Court, committed three separate robberies Thursday. He allegedly stole a car from a woman at 3756 Suntrust Drive after breaking in and demanding the keys.

Next, he stole a purse from a woman in the 3600 block of Marich Street, police said. Finally, Nelson allegedly tried to steal a cash register from the Red Bones Convenience Store at 3604 Palm Beach Blvd.

Clerks at the store tackled him and helped detain him until officers arrived, police said.

Officers handcuffed Nelson behind his back and put him in the back of a patrol car. But, according to a news release, he somehow twisted his arms in front of him and crawled into the front of the car.

Police stopped him as he tried to put the car in drive, police said.

Nelson faces charges of strong-armed robbery, occupied burglary, grand theft auto, escape and attempted grand theft auto of a police vehicle in addition to a Dec. 18 strong-armed robbery in the Michigan Court apartments, police said.

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