LAKELAND, Florida. – Convicted criminal will spend the next four decades behind bars for shooting federal agents while leading them on a high-speed, multi-county chase through Plant City and Lakeland.

Francisco Cabrera, 29, of Dover, robbed two stores and a gas station in Plant city and Brandon between January 13 and 17, 2022.

During those robberies, officials say Cabrera held the victims at gunpoint.

Sometimes he would remove the magazine from his gun, show victims bullets, and declare, “This is real” or “Give me the money or I’ll shoot you.”

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On January 19, 2022, Cabrera returned to the gas station he had robbed and carjacked a man sitting inside a truck outside. As he drove away, authorities say he brandished his firearm at others who tried to stop him and help the victim.

Later that day, detectives from Lakes Region The police department and agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) found Cabrera in Plant City.

The police started chasing him, with their flashing lights and sirens on. Cabera got on I-4 and headed toward Lakeland, going 100 miles per hour.

“It wasn’t a movie. It was reality,” said Joseph Maurer, chief deputy of the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office. “Task force agents, police officers and federal agents risk their lives to apprehend an evil individual.”

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During an 11-mile pursuit, Cabrera nearly crashed into a truck, ran red lights and into oncoming traffic, forcing other vehicles to take evasive action and nearly missed hitting other vehicles.

As he sped away from law enforcement, Cabrera opened fire on local and federal officers, firing approximately 8 to 15 shots at seven different officers. On one occasion, he shot two police officers who were ahead of him outside their vehicle and attempting to deploy stop sticks, striking the front hood of one of their vehicles.

After ensuring that no other law enforcement officers or civilians would be in danger, an ATF agent shot Cabrera, hitting him twice in the lower back.

Subsequently, Lakeland police officers and ATF agents surrounded Cabrera and provided him with first aid and medical assistance, saving his life. No one else was injured during the incident.

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“One of our federal agents pursued Cabrera closely despite the barrage of gunfire and heavy I-4 traffic,” said ATF Special Agent in Charge Kirk Howard. “As the approximately 12-mile chase entered a relatively low-density area, the officer made the calculated decision to fire his firearm through his windshield to protect the public from Cabrera’s reckless drive These shots wounded Cabrera twice in the lower back and, more importantly, provided necessary time and space for Lakeland police officers, ATF task force agents and the office. from the county sheriff of Hillsborough to converge on the offender’s vehicle, apprehend a still defiant Cabrera and immediately administer first aid which ultimately allowed Cabrera to remain alive to this day.”

Cabrera was sentenced to 38 years in federal prison for robbery, carjacking, attempted murder and possessing a firearm as a convicted felon.

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