Stolen box truck chase ends in arrest

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

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 34^th 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.