FORT MYERS, Fla. -- The Okeechobee community is on high alert after a person of interest in the case of a missing little girl was captured right in their neighborhood. And 9-year-old Diana Alvarez is still missing after 8 days.
28-year-old Jorge Guerrero is now back in Lee County. He is the primary person of interest in the Diana Alvarez Amber Alert, and is in the process of being booked into the Lee County Jail.
Guerrero was taken into custody Saturday in Okeechobee, but Diana was nowhere to be found.
UPDATE: Person of interest in missing girl case charged with child porn possesion
Diana Alvarez went missing from her San Carlos Park home last Sunday. During an extensive search for the girl, Lee County deputies took their investigation to Okeechobee, where they tracked down and detained Guerrero, who is a person of interest in the case according to an Amber Alert issued earlier this week.
People who live nearby witnessed the arrest. "We saw a lot of cars in front of the store, probably eight or nine cars, undercover cars, and I asked in my mind, what's happening there?" said Luis Gomez.
Guerrero was being held in the Okeechobee County Jail before his transfer to Lee County. It's unknown if he's been charged with anything at this point.
Many in Okeechobee are well aware to look out for little Diana. The community tells Fox 4 they've seen a lot more police presence in the area since the Amber Alert. "A lot of policemen running back and forth, and they'll pull over. You'll always see them pulling over, talking to each other, and it's been the sheriff's department and the city."
After checking different addresses registered to Guerrero, Fox 4 was able to track down his brother, who didn't want to interview. However, he did tell us he believes his brother is being unjustly accused. He claims Guerrero was in Orlando at the time of Diana's disappearance.
Meanwhile, the child's parents desperate to have her back, praying Guerrero's arrest will lead to answers.
The Lee County Sheriff's Office says calls into Crime Stoppers have been very valuable to this investigation, and urges anyone with information to call the Lee County Sheriff's Office at (239) 477-1000. Or to remain anonymous and be eligible for a cash reward, call Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers at 1-800-780-TIPS.
