Cape Coral Police have arrested 35-year-old Steven Michael Newman following a series of criminal activities, including mail theft, fraud, and property damage. His arrest is linked to incidents spanning from late October to mid-December 2024.
The investigation began on December 6, when surveillance footage captured a man damaging a mailbox at a business on Orchid Boulevard. Newman was seen using a knife to pry open the mailbox, causing an estimated $440 in damages.
On December 17, officers made a traffic stop on a brown Kia, where Newman, a passenger in the car, was identified. A K-9 alerted officers to drugs inside the vehicle, leading to a search. Police discovered drug paraphernalia, a stolen bicycle, and a backpack containing stolen personal identification documents, including names, addresses, and Social Security numbers.
Further investigation linked Newman to another incident that day at a local business, where a cement bench had been damaged, resulting in $1,000 in damages. This led to additional charges being filed against him.
Additionally, detectives connected Newman to a fraud investigation from October 29, where he was accused of using stolen personal identification to commit fraud, altering banking details, and redirecting mail to his address. Newman now faces several charges, including petit theft, criminal mischief, fraudulent use of personal identification, and fraud exceeding $50,000.
Authorities are urging residents to stay vigilant about their personal information and report any suspicious mail or property-related incidents.