Suspect in custody after leading authorities from Plant City into Lakeland
A man is now in custody after leading law enforcement agencies on a chase throughout Hillsborough and Polk counties.
On Wednesday, Jan. 19, a Hillsborough County Sheriff’s detective and agents from The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) conducted a surveillance on Francisco Cabrera.
They believed he was connected to several armed carjackings and robberies in Brandon and Plant City.
Around 11:30 a.m., the 27-year-old was seen at the Wendy’s at 1601 W. Baker Rd. in Plant City. When law enforcement attempted to take him into custody, he took off in his vehicle.
During the pursuit, Cabrera fired shots at law enforcement and led them eastbound on I-4.
“With no regard for anyone’s life but his own, Cabrera shot recklessly at law enforcement while traveling down the busy interstate,” said Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister. “This could have ended with innocent lives lost, but thanks to the brave work of HCSO and our local and federal law enforcement partners, this incident ended with a violent individual in custody.”
The HCSO, Lakeland Police and ATF were able to stop Cabrera’s vehicle on the 3000 block of New Tampa Highway, when a Lakeland police officer did a pit maneuver.
The crash occurred in front of a Publix headquarters.
Although he had nowhere to go, Cabrera refused commands to exit the vehicle and show his hands which prompted officers to fire shots into the car.
Cabrera was struck and law enforcement tried to remove him from his vehicle. When he resisted arrest, he was then tased.
Law enforcement and paramedics performed life-saving efforts on Cabrera before transporting him to a local hospital.
He is currently in stable condition.
Cabrera has a criminal history in Hillsborough County, including eight felony charges, violation of parole, and domestic violence arrests.
He will be booked at the Polk County Jail, with the Lakeland Police Department filing charges.
