Wife of murdered firefighter faces burglary, grand theft charges
Danielle Dreher
Sam Dreher
Michael Minor
SARASOTA COUNTY — The estranged wife of a Charlotte County firefighter slain in August by her boyfriend, authorities say, was arrested Thursday on burglary and grand theft charges in connection to the case.
Danielle Dreher, 41, of North Port, was arrested on a warrant at her home. She remains at the Sarasota County Jail without bond. Michael Minor, 27, is charged with the murder of Danielle’s estranged husband, Sam Dreher, a Charlotte County Fire/EMS lieutenant. He was additionally charged Thursday at the jail with the same charges as Danielle. According to Sarasota County Sheriff’s reports, Danielle and Minor plotted to break into her husband’s car and a friend’s apartment in north Sarasota to take back her jewelry from Sam. Minor was reportedly breaking into Sam’s car outside the apartment complex Aug. 4 when Sam confronted him. Officials say that’s when Minor shot and killed Sam. Detectives were able to uncover the burglary plot through text messages Minor and Danielle exchanged, reports show. Minor told detectives in August he’d been having a long-term relationship with Danielle without Sam’s knowledge. Danielle had worked as a marketing professional for Naples-based Health Management Associates, a company that operates community hospitals and health systems in 15 states, including the Venice, Peace River and Charlotte regional medical centers locally.