A wanted Florida man accused of spending years running from law enforcement is now behind bars after the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office says its Auto Theft Unit finally caught up with him.
According to HCSO, 35-year-old Everaldo Juaquin Alvarez Burqueno was arrested on June 18, 2026, after being wanted on multiple warrants tied to theft, burglary, grand theft auto, fleeing and eluding law enforcement, and other felony offenses.
Deputies say Alvarez Burqueno had a documented history of avoiding arrest. During previous encounters with law enforcement, investigators say he fled at high rates of speed on public roads, rammed patrol vehicles, and put deputies and members of the community at risk.
The sheriff’s office says the newly released video includes images from a 2024 incident involving a C7 Corvette, body-worn camera footage from a separate 2025 encounter, and the operation that ultimately ended with Alvarez Burqueno’s arrest.
Deputies Say Years of Evasion Finally Came to an End
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HCSO said Alvarez Burqueno was wanted on warrants from multiple jurisdictions, including the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office and the Florida Department of Corrections.
Sheriff Chad Chronister said the suspect repeatedly chose to put the public at risk rather than face the consequences of his actions.
“Those who believe they can evade justice by running only delay the inevitable,” Chronister said. “We will find you. Whether it takes days, months, or years, we will continue to pursue those who threaten the safety of our community and bring them to justice.”
Authorities say the arrest concludes multiple investigations and years of law enforcement efforts to bring Alvarez Burqueno into custody.
Jail Records Show Extensive List of Charges
Jail records show Alvarez Burqueno was booked into the Orient Road Jail on June 18 under booking number 2026-21069. As of publication, he remained in custody with no bond and an active hold from another agency.
Court and jail records list a lengthy series of charges spanning multiple cases and years. Among them are burglary of an unoccupied dwelling, burglary of an unoccupied conveyance, grand theft motor vehicle, fleeing and attempting to elude a police officer, high-speed fleeing and eluding, criminal mischief, and driving while license canceled, suspended, or revoked.
The booking record also lists multiple violation-of-probation warrants connected to older cases involving cannabis trafficking, possession of cannabis, driving as a habitual traffic offender, and uttering a forged instrument.
Additional warrants from Hernando County include charges related to fleeing to elude, grand theft auto, driving while license suspended or revoked, and possession of a vehicle with an altered VIN number.
One of the Hillsborough County cases dates back to January 26, 2024, and includes a felony high-speed fleeing charge. That date matches the timestamp shown on the Corvette image included in HCSO’s video release.
A separate Hillsborough County case from April 2025 includes allegations of burglary, grand theft motor vehicle, fleeing and attempting to elude, and driving with a suspended or revoked license.
Readers Had Plenty to Say About the Arrest
The sheriff’s office post quickly generated reactions, with readers largely focusing on two things: the suspect’s appearance and the lengthy list of allegations outlined by investigators.
Many commenters expressed surprise that Alvarez Burqueno is 35 years old, with several saying they assumed he was significantly older.
Others compared the allegations to a real-life version of Grand Theft Auto, joking about the combination of vehicle theft accusations, pursuits, and years of allegedly running from law enforcement. Several readers referenced GTA 6, with one commenter joking that the suspect apparently decided to create his own version while waiting for the game to be released.
Not everyone was making jokes. Other commenters praised HCSO detectives for finally making the arrest, while some questioned how someone accused of repeatedly fleeing deputies and committing vehicle-related crimes was allegedly able to remain on the run for so long before being taken into custody.
The investigation remains active, according to HCSO. Any additional updates will be released through the agency’s Public Affairs Office.