Florida Man Shoots, Kills Burglar
.jpeg "The second suspect, identified as 39-year-old Michel Soto-Mella of Chile, was apprehended a few blocks away with the assistance of K9 units.") |
| The second suspect, identified as 39-year-old Michel Soto-Mella of Chile, was apprehended a few blocks away with the assistance of K9 units. Credit: Bradenton County Sheriff's Office |
BRADENTON, Florida - Manatee County detectives are investigating a violent home invasion in the River Club community that left one suspect dead and another in custody.
The incident occurred shortly after 9 p.m. on December 26, when two men were captured on a homeowner’s surveillance system entering the rear of a residence in the 6700 block of Hickory Hammock Circle in Bradenton. The homeowner, armed and prepared to defend their property, fired multiple shots, striking one intruder while the other fled.
The injured suspect, later identified as 27-year-old Jorge Nestevan Flores-Toledo of Mexico, was transported to Sarasota Memorial Hospital in critical condition and succumbed to his injuries the following morning. Flores-Toledo, who also went by the alias Anibal Miller-Valencia, had a criminal history that included a 2023 arrest in Oak Brook, Illinois, for residential burglary. He served four months in jail before being released on parole in November 2024. At the time of the home invasion, he was wanted on an active warrant for parole violation and was considered armed and dangerous.
The second suspect, identified as 39-year-old Michel Soto-Mella of Chile, was apprehended a few blocks away with the assistance of K9 units. Soto-Mella is being held in the Manatee County Jail on charges of Armed Burglary, with additional charges expected as the investigation progresses.
Detectives are working to uncover the motives behind the crime and believe other individuals may have been involved. They urge anyone with information to contact the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office at (941) 747-3011. Anonymous tips can be submitted to Manatee County Crime Stoppers at (866) 634-TIPS or through ManateeCrimeStoppers.com, where tipsters may be eligible for a cash reward.
Authorities have confirmed that all individuals involved in the incident have been accounted for, and there is no ongoing threat to the community. The investigation remains active, and further updates will be provided as new details emerge.
