GOLDEN GATE ESTATES, FL — A 16-year-old has been arrested and charged with several counts related to vehicle break-ins and thefts in Golden Gate Estates, authorities announced. Ethan Hansen faces charges including grand theft auto, armed vehicle burglary, burglary of an unoccupied vehicle, grand theft of a firearm, and grand theft of a controlled substance.
The Collier County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) responded to reports of multiple vehicle burglaries on November 15 near the 3000 block of 2nd Street Northwest and 6th Street Northwest. Firearms were among the items reported stolen.
Sheriff Kevin Rambosk commended the detectives for their thorough work, which involved reviewing home security footage and thousands of records. Hansen was identified as a suspect after detectives recognized him in video footage.
Detectives had previously encountered Hansen during an investigation into similar incidents in February. A search warrant issued for Hansen’s Instagram account yielded approximately 18,000 pages of records, including photos and videos of him in a stolen vehicle and direct messages discussing the crimes.
Hansen’s arrest on Monday was a result of probable cause established through these investigations. He is also charged with the theft of a black Kia SUV, one of the stolen vehicles.