Buckingham, a tranquil rural enclave in Lee County, was shaken when an unfamiliar figure entered the neighborhood on Skates Circle, leaving residents on edge.
Dolores Medina-Sherman, a local resident, found herself startled when she stepped onto her back porch and heard an unfamiliar voice. Home alone at the time, she encountered a man who had emerged from her backyard, hidden behind hedges.
Upon questioning the intruder, he claimed to be picking palmetto berries with his family and had lost his way. However, this explanation didn’t sit well with Medina-Sherman, as she knew that no such activity was taking place.
Suspicion grew as she realized the man might have been scouting her property. Despite her concern, she offered him water and instructed him to leave.
Medina-Sherman alerted her husband, who promptly contacted the Lee County Sheriff’s Office. Upon arrival, law enforcement officers revealed that other neighbors had also called 911, reporting the same man banging on doors, shouting, and peering into homes.
The man, identified as Danny Cox, 31, has since been charged with loitering and prowling. However, neighbors expressed mixed sentiments about the situation.
Michael Bishop noted, “Itâs a redneck neighborhood around here and heâs lucky that the cops got him first,” hinting at the community’s self-reliant nature. Steve Mamamen emphasized the neighborhood’s stance on self-defense: “If he threatened me I would shoot him, plain and simple. Quite a few of the people out here do possess firearms and theyâre not afraid to use them.”
For Medina-Sherman, the incident holds an important lesson for everyone. She advised vigilance and immediate action when encountering suspicious individuals. “Be aware of your surroundings, keep your doors locked, cars locked, even if you feel like youâre in a safe neighborhood,” she emphasized.
The unexpected intrusion has left Buckingham residents reinforcing their commitment to safety and remaining watchful of their community.
