Man Jailed After High Speed Two-County Chase

LEE COUNTY MAN ARRESTED AFTER LEADING DEPUTIES ON A HIGH-SPEED CHASE IN STOLEN VEHICLE

In the early morning hours of Thursday, June 1, 2023, Hendry County Deputies became involved in a high-speed chase leading them into Lee County.

Deputies received notification of a stolen vehicle traveling eastbound on State Road 80 in the area Captain Hendry Drive. Deputies attempted to conduct a traffic stop on the vehicle however, the driver of the stolen Toyota van refused to stop, turning around and heading back into Lee County.

The driver of the vehicle, later identified as 31-year-old Francisco Nicolas Lopez of Ft. Myers, fled from deputies at speeds in excess of 100mph. At one point, the driver Lopez, did a u-turn, and directly sped toward one of the deputies’ vehicles and purposely crashed into the rear of his patrol car. The deputy was uninjured, and the vehicle was not disabled.

The chase ended in the area of Edwards Drive, in Lehigh Acres. Lopez stopped the vehicle then exited it leaving it in drive. He then led deputies on a foot chase where he was later apprehended while hiding in thick brush.

While searching the vehicle deputies found both cocaine and methamphetamine.

Lopez was arrested and transported to the Lee County Jail on charges of Aggravated Battery with a Deadly Weapon, Fleeing and Eluding at High Speed with Wanton Disregard for the Safety of Persons and Property, Trafficking in Cocaine, Grand Theft of Motor Vehicle and Operating a Motor Vehicle with License Suspended 3rd - Subsequent Offense.

Lopez is currently awaiting transfer back to Hendry County until such time – he is being held in the Lee County Jail.

Adrian Abel Rojas Gonzalez Jailed For Attempted Murder Of Spouse

CLEWISTON MAN ARRESTED FOR ATTEMPTED MURDER

On Friday, May 26, 2023, Hendry County Deputies arrested 29-year-old Adrian Abel Rojas Gonzalez for attempting to kill his spouse.

Deputies were dispatched to the area of Montura Ranch Estates after receiving a call for help. The victim reported that their spouse was trying to shoot them.

Deputies made contact with the victim and noticed visible signs of injuries to the victim’s head and facial area. It was learned that Rojas Gonzalez was intoxicated and had been outside with a friend while he was armed. The victim and a member of the suspect’s family went to locate Rojas Gonzalez and bring him back home, at which point he became angry and fired the gun at the victim’s feet.

The victim returned to the home and a short time later received a call from Rojas Gonzalez telling the victim to come outside. The victim stepped outside to speak with Rojas Gonzalez, and it was at that time he told the victim to get into the truck. He told the victim to get inside the vehicle because he was going to kill them. He then raised his gun and fired at the victim. The victim went on to say that once inside the truck with the suspect, he began beating and kicking the victim and at one point struck the victim several times with the firearm. The victim was able to run from the suspect and call for help.

Deputies were able to make contact with Rojas Gonzalez and took him into custody charging him with Attempted Murder, Aggravated Battery with a Deadly Weapon and Resisting Officer without Violence. Rojas Gonzalez is currently being held in the Hendry County Jail on $355,000.00 bond.

UPDATE: In August, 2023 the State of Florida Dropped or Abandoned Prosecution of Rojas Gonzalez. In a separate case in December 2023, Rojas Gonzalez was adjudged guilty of resisting or obstructing arrest without violence. In December 2025 he was accused of a fraudulent real estate transfer in Montura in Hendry county and filed for Bankrupcy according to court records.

Matthew Ames Jailed With $100,000 Bond

MAN ARRESTED FOR THREATENING ANOTHER WITH A HANDGUN

On Tuesday, May 23, 2023, Hendry County Deputies responded to the area of Neighborly Road in central Hendry County. It was at this time that they spoke with a construction worker who reported he had been threatened by a nearby resident.

The victim explained that he was preparing to complete a tile installation in a new home when he was approached by a man, later identified as 26-year-old Matthew Steven Ames. The victim explained that Ames approached him and began speaking to him while holding a firearm to his face.

The victim was able to run and take cover and after doing so, immediately heard three gunshots being fired. He then was able to take cover in the home that was under construction and run out the back of the house and to a nearby residence, where he was able to call law enforcement.

After speaking with the victim and conducting an investigation, they responded to Ames’s home where they were confronted by Ames, who approached them in an aggressive manner. Eventually, Deputies were able locate the firearm used during the crime taking him into custody and transporting him to the Hendry County Jail.

Ames was arrested on charges of Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon without Intent to Kill and Possession of a Weapon by a Florida Convicted Felon. Ames is currently being held in the Hendry County Jail on $100,000.00 bond.

Hendry County Burn Ban Lifted

LaBelle, Fla. –The burn ban on unregulated outdoor fires in Hendry County has been lifted effective June 1, 2023.

Residents are asked to always exercise caution when burning outside.

Hendry County Felony Arrests This Week

LABELLE, FL. -- ARREST BLOTTER for Hendry County from 05/22/2023 – 05/28/2023

Felony/DUI Arrests:

Adrian Jamal Cooke, 23, Clewiston was arrested on 05/22/2023 by Sgt. I. Movalli on charges of Fraud, Grand Theft and Theft of a Motor Vehicle

Alphonso Eugene Neal, 19, North Ft. Myers, was arrested on 05/22/2023 by Deputy Sheriff T. Williams on charges of Theft of Motor Vehicle, Driving with Suspended/Revoke Drivers License and Obstruction without Violence

Anthony Cortez Dotson, 31, Clewiston, was arrested on 05/24/2023 by Deputy Sheriff L. Rodriguez on charges of five counts of Sale/Deliver of Synthetic Narcotics with 1000’ of Specified Area, Trafficking Phenethylamines 10 over 10 grams, Possession of Marijuana under 20 grams, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Carrying a Concealed Firearm without Permit, and Possession of Firearm by a Florida Convicted Felon

Timothy M. Jackson, 31, Clewiston, was arrested on 05/24/2023 by Deputy Sheriff L. Rodriguez on charges of Possession of Controlled Substance without a Prescription

Matthew Steven Ames, 26, LaBelle, was arrested on 05/24/223 by Cpl. V. Lopez on charges of Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon without Intent to Kill and Possession of a Firearm by a Florida Convicted Felon

Lindsey Mae Johnson, 35, Arcadia was arrested on 05/25/2023 by Sgt. J. Olvera on charges of Felony Failure to Appear

Adrian Abel Rojas Gonzalez, 29, Clewiston, was arrested on 05/26/2023 by Deputy Sheriff D. Coronilla on charges of Attempted Murder, Aggravated Battery with a Deadly Weapon and Resisting Officer without Violence

Megan Elizabeth Haapanen, 42, Cape Coral was arrested on 05/26/2023 by Deputy J. Castro on charges of DUI

Dylan Scott Vangraafeiland, 23, Cape Coral was arrested on 05/26/2023 by Deputy Sheriff M. Kinney on charges of Possession of Marijuana over 20 grams, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia to Transport Drugs, Carrying Concealed Firearm without a Permit and Resisting Officer

Andrew Jean Baptiste, 28, LaBelle was arrested on 05/26/2023 by Deputy Sheriff T. Williams on 05/26/2023 on charges of Battery by Strangulation, Sexual Battery on 18 year or older Person, Kidnapping

Johnny Apparicio Moreno, 53, Miami was arrested on 05/26/2023 by Deputy Sheriff M. Kinney on charges of Child Neglect with Great Bodily Harm

Raquel Divina Pena, 55, LaBelle was arrested on 5/26/2023 by Deputy Sheriff M. Kinney on charges of Child Neglect with Great Bodily Harm

Roderick Renard Talbert, Jr., 31, Immokalee was arrested on 05/27/2023 by Deputy Sheriff T. Williams on charges of Possession of Cocaine, Possession of Control Substance without a Prescription, False ID Given to LEO and Violation of Probation