A Lehigh Acres father faces criminal charges after authorities say he performed dangerous wheelies on an all-terrain vehicle with his 8-year-old child onboard during a chaotic street takeover at a Florida gas station.

Reckless Conduct Captured on Surveillance

Lee County Sheriff’s deputies arrested 29-year-old Jordianis Garcia on Monday following an incident that occurred in late April at a gas station on Palm Beach Boulevard in Alva. Surveillance footage shows multiple ATV riders aggressively performing wheelies in the parking lot while customers attempted to pump gas. Garcia allegedly operated a white ATV at high speeds while his young child held on during the dangerous maneuvers. The child remained on the vehicle throughout the entire incident as Garcia participated in the street takeover alongside other riders.

Garcia now faces a child neglect charge without great bodily harm. Authorities also cited him for racing on a highway and participating in the street takeover. The Sheriff’s Office continues working to identify additional riders who participated in the incident. Investigators are reviewing surveillance footage to determine if other individuals should face charges for their involvement in the disruptive event.

Community Outrage Over Child Safety

Local residents expressed shock and anger after viewing the footage. Tracy Widmer, a community member, said she would have immediately contacted law enforcement if she witnessed such behavior. She questioned what type of parent would endanger their child in such a reckless manner. Another Alva resident, Jennifer Tunales, raised concerns about the potential for catastrophic accidents. She noted the extreme danger of performing stunts near fuel pumps, where spilled gasoline could lead to explosions or fires with people nearby.

Growing Pattern of Street Takeovers

This arrest represents the latest in a series of street takeover incidents plaguing Lee County. In late April, deputies responded to another takeover at the intersection of Joel Boulevard and Bell Boulevard in Lehigh Acres, which resulted in two arrests. These events typically involve groups of riders blocking public roads and parking lots to perform dangerous stunts. Local drivers worry that these increasingly frequent incidents will eventually result in serious injuries or fatalities. The Lee County Sheriff’s Office has pledged to continue aggressive enforcement against street takeover participants to protect public safety and prevent future incidents from escalating.