Judge issues bench warrant for third man accused of using dead person’s ID

A judge this week issued a bench warrant for a third man accused of using a dead person’s ID after he failed to appear for a scheduled court hearing as Hurricane Helene approached.

Brandon Burke, 36, of Opa-Locka, who faces a bench warrant after he did not appear Tuesday for a pretrial conference before Lee Circuit Judge Margaret Steinbeck, was arrested in January along with Travis Mitchell, 38, of Fort Myers, and Marcus Smith, 35, of Fort Myers.

Around 1:45 p.m. Jan. 6, Fort Myers police responded to the AT&T at 4928 S. Cleveland Ave. in reference to two men who attempted to purchase equipment under the identity of a deceased person.

Police said an employee recognized the men from a similar attempt at a Naples location.

Police said they detained one of the men and were directed by employees that the other men were leaving in a car.

The vehicle hit a sign and drove away before the stop, police said.

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