Stolen box truck chase ends in arrest

Aug 23, 2022 4:14 pm
Box truck stolen in Tampa
The 2015 Isuzu box truck stolen by Brandon Baker in Tampa on Tuesday morning led law enforcement on a chase that ended with Baker's arrest in Gainesville. (Courtesy of FHP)
Courtesy of FHP

A stolen box truck chase started in Tampa and ended with the driver being arrested in Gainesville on Tuesday morning.

Brandon J. Baker
Brandon J. Baker

According to a Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) report, Brandon J. Baker, 34, of Riverview had been involved in a carjacking incident before stealing the 2015 Isuzu box truck in Hillsborough County. FHP was notified the vehicle was heading north on I-75 in Marion County near the Alachua County line when they attempted a traffic stop, but Baker refused to stop and began driving north in the southbound lanes of I-75.

Alachua County Sheriff’s Office (ACSO) deputies attempted to stop the truck multiple times and Baker collided with several vehicles during the chase. Just before 7:30 a.m., Baker exited the freeway and drove to the 2100 block of SW 34th Street in Gainesville where he exited the vehicle and he attempted to flee on foot.

FHP officers and ACSO deputies apprehended Baker, who was charged with multiple felonies and will face additional charges by the Tampa Police Department. Baker was booked into the Alachua County Jail.

Traffic delays were cleared by late Tuesday morning, according to the ACSO.

ACSO provided a video of the pursuit on its Facebook page.

Florida Highway Patrol hit by stolen box truck
Courtesy of FHP This Florida Highway Patrol car was one of multiple vehicles hit during a stolen vehicle pursuit on Tuesday morning.
Alachua County Sheriff's Office vehicle hit by stolen box truck
Courtesy of FHP This Alachua County Sheriff’s Office vehicle was one of multiple vehicles hit during a stolen box truck chase on Tuesday morning.

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  • C.J. Gish

    C.J. Gish is the senior editor for Mainstreet Daily News. He is a Pacific Northwest transplant who grew up in Oregon and moved to Florida in 2018. C.J. has spent more than 30 years in media, public relations and marketing, including stints as a newspaper reporter, working at two TV stations (FOX and ABC) in Boise, and as a media specialist for Eastern Oregon University. C.J. enjoys sports, especially the NFL and NBA, and is the father to three amazing adult children. Send story ideas to editor@mainstreetdailynews.com

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