FMPD, LCSO launch investigation after items found downtown raise suspicion
Two suspicious items displaying apparent and somewhat confusing political messages wreaked havoc and closed parts of downtown Fort Myers on Election Day.
Police found a diorama near Centennial Park that they said took hours to stage: a mannequin hanging from a tree. The doll sported political statements on its arms, legs and trunk, and appeared to have an electrical device attached.
Attached were a U.S. flag and another smaller figure with an amputated leg and the word "help" written in red ink, which appeared to be behind bars.
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Carla Hill, director of investigative research at the Anti-Defamation League's Center on Extremism, said her organization isn't aware of a potential meaning to the mannequin behind bars.
No one had immediately claimed responsibility.
Fort Myers Police began investigating the items shortly before 7:30 a.m. Tuesday in the area of Edwards Drive and Heitman Street.
The Lee County Sheriff's Office and the Southwest Regional Bomb Squad later joined the investigation.
Both items were deemed safe shortly before 10:45 a.m. Tuesday, leading to the reopening of the nearby roads.
Kristin Capuzzi, spokesperson for the Fort Myers Police Department, told The News-Press she couldn't confirm whether authorities were connecting the items to Election Day, however, she added that it appeared to be a political statement.
Police say the incident remains an active investigation. They're searching for a dark-colored SUV they say is linked.
Authorities say the suspect arrived after 1 a.m. Tuesday and spent several hours setting up and displaying politically motivated items.
"One of the items was hung from a tree and was a mannequin with political language on it," the post reads in part.
Police say the mannequin also had a digital device attached with wires throughout resembling equipment that could be used for a bomb.
During the investigation, they determined no explosive was attached.
They're searching for a dark 2022 Honda Pilot SUV. Police urge anyone with information to contact Detective Charles Ciulla at 239-321-7804 or cciulla@fmpolice.com.
Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers also welcome anonymous tips. Tipsters may also be eligible for a reward of up to $3,000 in cash if their tip leads to an arrest.
Hill told The News-Press she isn't familiar with parts of the messaging and ran it though other experts.
She said they reviewed the material and found the message is critical of the "New World Order," which compares it with Nazi Germany.
According to the Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey, the "New World Order" is a conspiracy theory suggesting a select few "elites" work behind the scenes to orchestrate global events to enslave the world's population.
Interpreting the symbols found Tuesday
Hill walked The News-Press through the different items depicted:
The mannequin implies the New World Order is bad, comparing it to Nazi Germany.
It appears to be anti-New World Order.
QAnon imagery typically has the words "dark" and "light," but the doll only has the word "light" written on it.
On one leg, it has the acronym "D.U.M.B.S.," which stands for "Deep Underground Military Bases," a conspiracy theory that suggests the state holds children for sex trafficking.
It seems to compare the "deep state" to Nazi Germany, and appears to satirize the QAnon beliefs.
It appears to have the word "GOD" written on its stomach.
The doll is laying on a U.S. flag. Hill says she doesn't understand the patriotism attached to the exhibit.
Antisemitism on the rise
Hill's work focuses on studying antisemitism and the rise in these attacks nationally.
The league's Center on Extremism, attributes a recent rise in attacks to a national extremist group whose name stems from a mockery to the Anti-Defamation League's brand.
Since December, the mockery organization has had a designated day or weekend of activism every month.
Tomas Rodriguez is a Breaking/Live News Reporter for the Naples Daily News and The News-Press. You can reach Tomas at TRodriguez@gannett.com or 772-333-5501. Connect with him on Twitter @TomasFRoBeltran, Instagram @tomasfrobeltran and Facebook @tomasrodrigueznews.
This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Suspicious trigger joint investigation, search for suspect continues
