A driver in Hillsborough County, Florida, is accused of leading police on a chase with a child sitting in the vehicle’s backseat. According to authorities, the driver, who has more than a dozen previous suspended license violations, swapped seats with a passenger mid-chase.
According to a post made by the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO), the incident occurred on Monday, June 29. At around 10:52 p.m., deputies came across a familiar face while on the road.
The law enforcement agents had spotted 40-year-old Rogelio Murillo. He was no stranger to them, as according to the HCSO, he had prior traffic violations and was considered a habitual offender.
These included a whopping 16 driving while license suspended violations. On top of that, the man also had a canceled license. Therefore, the deputies had to intervene.
Pursuit Follows
Near East College Avenue and 30th Street Southeast, deputies attempted to conduct a traffic stop. However, the sheriff’s office said that the vehicle didn’t comply.
Instead, Murillo is accused of swapping seats with a passenger inside the car. This other individual was later identified as 40-year-old Lourdes Guerrero.
With a brand-new driver behind the wheel, the vehicle fled onto I-75, the HCSO said. Moments later, the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) took over the pursuit.
Car Finally Stops
The FHP agents attempted a second traffic stop on Big Bend Road. Again, the vehicle refused to stop and continued its attempt at fleeing.
This wouldn’t last long, as the vehicle eventually came to a stop on I-75 South near the Paseo Al Mar Overpass. The clip attached above shows the exact moment in which the car pulls over.
Moments later, multiple patrol units come to a stop and agents exit their vehicles. Deputies also made use of K-9 units, with the dogs barking at the suspects who were taken into custody one by one.
Child Found, Charges
The footage shows responding officers taking Guerrero into custody first. She had previously exited the vehicle and, with her hands in the air, walked backwards until she was put in handcuffs.
In Murillo’s case, police dogs were used as he exited the front passenger door and lay down on the ground. He, too, was placed inside the back of a patrol unit.
However, to their shock, deputies found a child sitting in their car seat as they arrested Murillo. A female deputy could be heard comforting the child in an arguably traumatic event.
Lourdes Guerrero is charged with fleeing and attempting to elude a police officer, aggravated fleeing to elude, aggravated child abuse, trafficking in fentanyl (4 to 14 grams), and aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer with intent to commit a felony with a weapon. Meanwhile, Rogelio Murillo is charged with driving while license revoked (habitual offender) and possession of a controlled substance.