When Lee County Sheriff deputies responded to a spat between a mother and her son, they did more than break up a fight. When all was said and done, the dispute was over and a family acquaintance hauled off to jail on Armed Burglary and Grand Theft charges.
It began shortly before 8:00 yesterday morning when deputies responded to the 4700 block of 21st Street Southwest, Lehigh Acres, to a past occurred burglary to a conveyance. The victim stated his vehicle was broken into and that his handgun and ammunition, along with numerous tools, had been stolen.
Later that evening, deputies responded to a domestic disturbance call at 1508 Harlow Avenue South, Lehigh Acres. As deputies interviewed the mother and her teenage son, they witnessed another teen hanging out at the residence who wasn’t supposed to be there due to conditions of his probation. As deputies questioned those present, they received information that there was a gun inside the home.
For officer safety reasons, deputies asked the homeowner if she knew about any firearms inside the home. The homeowner answered no and gave deputies permission to search. During the search, deputies located four firearms hidden inside the bathroom along with hollow point bullets with black shell casings.
During the course of the investigation, detectives were able to determine that the family friend, Emilio Heinzman, had stolen one of the guns and the hollow point bullets during the vehicle burglary hours earlier on 21st Street Southwest. The investigation also revealed that when Heinzman realized law enforcement had been called for the domestic disturbance, he hid the guns inside the residence.
As a result of the investigation, Emilio Heinzman 17, of 5313 28th Street Southwest, Lehigh Acres, was arrested and charged with Armed Burglary of a Conveyance and two counts of Grand Theft.
Detectives are still working the case to determine if the other three guns are stolen as well.