FLORIDA — A Cape Coral man was arrested early Friday morning after police say he burglarized multiple vehicles and used a kayak to flee across a canal.
Officers responded around 12:29 a.m. on March 20 to a report of a burglary in progress on Northeast 18th Avenue. A resident reported seeing a man attempting to open car doors, and surveillance footage later showed a suspect entering several vehicles in the area.
Police established a perimeter and began searching for the suspect with assistance from K-9 units. The search led officers to a canal behind Northeast 18th Avenue, where the suspect’s trail ended.
A police drone later located a man matching the description entering a home on Northeast 17th Place, across the canal. He was identified as 20-year-old Koltin Troy Burns of Cape Coral.
Investigators said Burns used a kayak to cross the canal, burglarized multiple unlocked vehicles, and stole items including a wallet before returning to his residence the same way. Officers recovered wet clothing and a recently used kayak as part of the investigation.
Authorities identified four victims and reported stolen items including a wallet and a purse valued at about $320.
Burns faces five counts of burglary of an unoccupied conveyance, one count of petit theft over $100, and one count of petit theft.
Police are reminding residents to lock their vehicles, remove valuables, and report suspicious activity.
