Golden Gate Estates men accused of stealing safe containing guns, money, jewelry

Two Golden Gate Estates construction workers are accused of stealing their employer's home safe containing guns, cash and jewelry.

Harold Russell Lanham, 22, and James Edward Lanham, 41, are charged with burglary, grand theft and grand theft of a firearm. James Lanham also is charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

Collier sheriff's deputies were called to a Golden Gate Estates home Thursday after the homeowner reported finding his sliding glass door open and his safe missing when he returned from work.

The homeowner said he recognized the men from a security camera, that they had been working for him for two months and were wearing their red company T-shirts, according to reports.

The safe contained about $9,000 in cash, $25,000 in jewelry, two .40-caliber cap and ball pistols, a 9 mm pistol, various coins and important documents, reports said.

Deputies arrested Harold Lanham at a gas station at Randall Boulevard and Immokalee Road, where James Lanham had arranged to return his employer's trailer, reports said.

While Harold Lanham was being arrested, James Lanham called his employer to ask if he had seen Harold; the employer said no and that he wanted his property back, reports said.

James Lanham was later arrested at a Golden Gate Estates address reports listed as Harold Lanham's home.