Name: Irving Isaac Merkovitz

DOB:​ May 15, 1929

Race/Sex: White / Male

Height: 5’07”

Weight: 230-240 lbs

Hair: Gray hair balding with very bushy gray eyebrows

Eyes: Blue/Green

Tattoos/Marks: None

Clothes: Last seen wearing blue jean shorts and a blue polo shirt.

Case Number: 12-009242

Irving Isaac Merkovitz was last seen by his caretaker on March 26th, 2012, at approximately 3:15 p.m. in Cape Coral, Lee County, Florida, where he resides. Irving has senile dementia, he has not driven for several months instead relying on a caretaker for transportation. At approximately 3:30 p.m. on March 26th, Irving left his residence driving a 2005 gold Chrysler Town and Country minivan bearing Florida tag (Y7SSS). He has not been seen or heard from since.

It is believed he may be confused or disoriented. Irving takes medication for High Blood Pressure.

If you have any information, please contact the Cape Coral Police Department at (239) 574-3223. You can text us a tip- Text "CCPD + Your message" to 274637 (CRIMES). You can also submit a tip to us online at www.capecops.com/web-tips. Finally, you can call Crimestoppers at 1-800-780-TIPS. All tips are completely anonymous.

UPDATE: Mr Merkovitz has been located in Miami. FDLE has been notified. Silver Alert has been canceled.

CAPE CORAL POLICE DEPARTMENT

Public Affairs Office

1100 Cultural Park Blvd

Cape Coral, FL 33990

239-574-0642

Cape Police Asking for Help in Identifying Theft Suspect

Cape Coral Police are asking for the public's help in identifying a woman in a theft case. On May 14th, a man removed several thousand dollars from his bank to pay his medical bills because he does not have health insurance.

The victim stopped at Publix located at 1631 Del Prado Boulevard South with a bank bag containing the cash to pick up a few items. When he entered Publix he sat down to check his blood pressure and set the bank bag down. He then walked away, inadvertently leaving the bank bag behind. The bag was then picked up by an elderly woman who appears to be in her late 60's maybe even early 70's who placed the bag in her shopping cart.

The woman leaves Publix and did not report her findings to anyone. The attached picture is of the woman in question. If anyone knows the identity of the woman pictured, please contact Cape Coral Police at 239-574-3223, CapeCops.com/web-tips <http://CapeCops.com/web-tips> or SWFL Crimestoppers at 1-800-780-TIPS, you may be eligible for a cash reward.

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Public Affairs Office

1100 Cultural Park Blvd

Cape Coral, FL 33990

239-574-0642

Cape Coral Police to Host Community Engagement Open House

(May 22, 2012)- The Cape Coral Police Department will host a "Community Engagement Open House" this Thursday evening, May 24th from 7pm-8pm at Cape Coral Police Headquarters.

Last year, the Cape Coral Police Department partnered with Florida Gulf Coast University and the Florida Institute of Government and hosted a Community Engagement Forum. The forum was to kick off the Cape Coral Police Department's Community Engagement Program and elicit feedback from our stakeholders, both residents and business owners.

The purpose of this Open House is to showcase some of the highlights of the past year in our community engagement efforts and evaluate our progress in that arena. In the true spirit of openness, transparency and community engagement we welcome members of our community to take part in the open house.

If you are interested, please arrive at the main lobby of Police Headquarters located at 1100 Cultural Park Blvd a few minutes prior to 7pm.

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Public Affairs Office

1100 Cultural Park Blvd

Cape Coral, FL 33990

239-574-0642

Cape Coral Police Victim Assistance Unit Receives VOCA Grand Funding

(May 21, 2012)- The Cape Coral Police Victims' Assistance Unit has received Victims Of Crime Act (or VOCA) funding for fiscal year 2012-2013 from the Office of the Attorney General Pam Bondi.

Said Emery Gainey of the Attorney General's Office, "Our staff has worked tirelessly to determine how best to distribute the funding...your agency's VOCA grant award for the FY 2012-2013 funding cycle is $92,000."

"We're extremely pleased that Attorney General Pam Bondi has once again chosen us as a grant recipient of Victim Assistance funding for 2012-2013. The award is based upon both need and the level of service provided to the community by our Victim Advocates, which we believe are some of the finest in the state of Florida. Thanks to the hard work and cooperation between our Grant Writer and Attorney General Pam Bondi's office, this continuing funding will help ensure our victim services will be funded again in the upcoming fiscal year."-Police Chief B.A. "Jay" Murphy.

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CAPE CORAL POLICE DEPARTMENT

Public Affairs Office

1100 Cultural Park Blvd

Cape Coral, FL 33990

239-574-0642

Cape Coral Police Make Arrest in Walgreens Robbery

(May 15, 2012)- Cape Coral Police Detectives have arrested David T Bernier of Invergrove Heights, Minnesota for the May 10th armed robbery of the Walgreens located at Chiquita Blvd and Cape Coral Pkwy.

On May 10th at 5:45am, a male suspect entered the Walgreens at Cape Coral Pkwy and Chiquita Blvd. The suspect brought a fan to the register as if to purchase the item. When the clerk began to ring up the fan, the suspect produced a handgun and demanded money from the register. The clerk complied and the suspect fled on foot from the store with cash and the fan.

Cape Coral Police began a manhunt for the suspect for the past several days and broadcasted surveillance photos of the suspect on CapeCops.com as well as local media.

Those efforts paid off last night when Detectives received a tip that the robber was David Bernier. The tipster told police that Bernier was staying at a motel in Fort Myers with a woman and he was driving a Saturn with Minnesota plates.

Cape Coral Police located Bernier and his female companion at the motel and brought them to Police Headquarters last night for questioning. Bernier admitted that he was staying with a friend a mere two blocks from the Walgreens for the past two weeks while he was on vacation from Minnesota. Bernier's photo was put into a line-up and the clerk positively identified him as the suspect who robbed her at gunpoint.

A search of the home in which Bernier was vacationing led to the discovery of the fan taken in the robbery. Bernier was arrested by Detectives on charges of armed robbery and transported to the Lee County Jail, where he remains without bond.

"This partnership with our community is as strong as it's ever been. It has enabled our Officers and Detectives to solve countless crimes. This latest being one of the most violent you can have, some thug puts a gun in an innocent person's face; a store clerk who's just trying to earn an honest living. Thankfully, our community won't stand for that and they partnered with their police department. And our Detectives did what they do best...solve major cases."-Lieutenant Tony Sizemore.

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David T Bernier 07/23/73

4675 E Barbato Court

Invergrove Heights, MN 55076

Public Affairs Office

1100 Cultural Park Blvd

Cape Coral, FL 33990

239-574-0642

Pair of Cape Coral Criminals Sentenced to Prison

(May 14, 2012)- A pair of Cape Coral criminals has been sentenced to state prison. Kurt John Cole has been sentenced to 50 months for 2 counts of grand theft of a firearm, 3 counts of dealing in stolen property and 3 counts of providing false ID to a pawnbroker. Robert Walter Waters has been sentenced to 15 months in state prison for grand theft and criminal mischief.

Cole was arrested by Cape Coral Police Detectives in September of 2011 when he stole firearms among other items from a pastor who let Cole live at his home for a few months while he was down on his luck. Cole stole the items and pawned them at local pawn shops.

Waters was arrested January 3rd of this year by Cape Coral Patrol Officers after he dismantled a residential A/C unit to retrieve the copper coils.

"Our Officers and Detectives work very hard on their investigations. Many people believe that the work is done once the arrest is made. We know that the work is not complete until a strong case is prepared and we partner with the State Attorney's Office to put criminals in prison."-Lieutenant Tony Sizemore.

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Kurt John Cole 12/18/1969

1210 SW 4th Court

Cape Coral, FL 33991

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Robert Walter Waters 12/22/1982

4418 SW 25th Court

Cape Coral, FL 33914

Public Affairs Office

1100 Cultural Park Blvd

Cape Coral, FL 33990

239-574-0642

Cape Coral Police Celebrate National Police Week

(May 14, 2012)- In 1962, President John F. Kennedy signed a proclamation which designated May 15th as Peace Officers Memorial Day and the week in which that date falls as Police Week. The Cape Coral Police Department is proud to celebrate National Police Week and is grateful for the support of the citizens of Cape Coral.

Throughout the week, take a moment to reflect on what a wonderful and safe community in which we live and the men and women of the Cape Coral Police Department who work every day to keep Cape Coral one of the safest cities in Florida.

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CAPE CORAL POLICE DEPARTMENT

Public Affairs Office

1100 Cultural Park Blvd

Cape Coral, FL 33990

239-574-0642

Cape Coral Police Make Arrest in Overnight Burglary

(May 14, 2012)- Cape Coral Police have arrested Benjamin Rodriguez Jr on charges of Burglary and Grand Theft in an overnight auto burglary.

On Sunday night at 10:45pm, Officers from the 3rd Platoon were dispatched to a burglary in progress in the 600 block of NW 6th Street. A woman came outside of her home and observed a stranger inside of her neighbor's car which was parked in the neighbor's driveway.

The woman called Cape Coral Police and reported the incident. Officers arrived in the area within minutes and set up a perimeter. An Officer made contact with a male (later identified as Benjamin Rodriguez Jr) walking within the interior of the perimeter.

Rodriguez was dressed in all black clothing, as described by the witness, and was wearing a stocking on his head. Rodriguez had fresh dirt and wet grass on his shoes, clothes and arms and he was sweating profusely. A police K9 tracked from the scene of the break-in straight to the location of where Officers had Rodriguez detained.

The witness was brought to the location of the detention and positively identified Rodriguez as the suspect that she'd seen breaking into her neighbor's car. Rodriguez was also in possession of a bag containing property belonging to the victim of the burglary.

The property was returned to the victim and Rodriguez was arrested on charges of burglary and grand theft. He was transported to the Lee County Jail.

"This was a textbook example of a citizen choosing to get involved in the right way. She called the Police Department immediately, giving us a chance at catching the criminal, which we did. This was a great catch by Officers from the 3rd Platoon along with the K9 Unit."-Lieutenant Tony Sizemore.

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Benjamin Rodriguez Jr 10/27/90

1014 Nelson Road

Cape Coral, FL 33903

Public Affairs Office

1100 Cultural Park Blvd

Cape Coral, FL 33990

239-574-0642

Cape Coral Police Hosting Charity Softball Tournament

(May 11, 2012)- The Cape Coral Police Department is hosting a charity softball tournament this Saturday May 12th. The tournament begins at 9am with the championship game at 4pm. It will be held at the Northwest Softball Complex located at Chiquita Blvd and Tropicana Pkwy.

The tournament will feature teams from the Cape Coral, Fort Myers, Punta Gorda, North Port and Port Authority Police Departments as well as the Lee County and Highlands County Sheriff's Offices and the Cape Coral Fire Department.

There is no charge to attend the event however donations for the Police Athletic League will be accepted. There will be prizes raffled off throughout the day. Prizes range from gift cards, free oil changes, Seatow memberships, and an HD flat screen television among other items. You do not have to present to win any of the prizes and there is no limit as to how many of the prizes you can win. Raffle tickets can be purchased the day of the tournament for $1 or six for $5.

There will be an Italian Ice cart, food being grilled as well as other vendor booths.

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1100 Cultural Park Blvd

Cape Coral, FL 33990

239-574-0642

Subject: “Where’s Waldo?” Cape Coral Police Seeking Armed Robbery Suspect

On 05-10-2012 at around 5:30 AM, a white male suspect approached the front counter of the Walgreens located at 1534 Cape Coral Parkway West, feigning to make a purchase. As the cashier began to ring up the purchase, the suspect drew a handgun and demanded money from the cashier. The cashier complied and the suspect fled the store with an undisclosed amount of cash in an unknown direction of travel . The suspect’s image was captured on in-store video. The attached stills are taken from that video.

The suspect is described as a white male, 6’00”-6’02”, dark brown, wavy hair.

Additional photos will be released as CCPD forensics is able to enhance them for greater detail.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Cape Coral Police Department at (239) 574-3223. You can submit a tip anonymously by going to www.capecops.com/web-tips and submitting it online or text “CCPD plus your message” to 274637 (CRIMES). Your phone number is never seen by the Police Department and you can remain completely anonymous.