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Felon sentenced to 38 years after leading officers on high-speed shootout on I-4

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LAKELAND, Fla. (WFLA) — Lakeland police announced the federal sentencing of a violent felon who led officials in a high-speed shootout on I-4.

Francisco Cabrera, 29, of Dover, led a multi-agency task force on the chase and shootout back in January 2022.

The "career criminal" was sentenced to 38 years in federal prison for his crime spree, officials announced.

It began on Jan. 13, 2022, when Cabrera robbed Puppy Smoke Shop in Plant City, pretending to purchase items before brandishing a firearm at the cashier, demanding money. The next day, he did the same thing at Hazy Days Smoke Shop in Brandon, demanding money from the victims at gunpoint, saying "This is for real."

On Jan. 17, he robbed a Marathon gas station in Plant City, brandishing a pistol and demanding money, saying, "Give me the money or I will shoot you."

Two days later, Cabrera committed a carjacking at the same Marathon gas station, pointing the gun at the victims, and demanding them to get out. Despite the victims' attempt to use a vehicle to block him in, Carbera eventually fled.

Over six days, he committed three armed robberies, a carjacking, and attempted murder of police officers and federal agents, and led them on a high-speed chase.

He was located in Plant City, but fled officials on I-4, heading eastbound toward Lakeland. He led an 11-mile police chase, driving over 100 mph. He also repeatedly shot at seven officials, firing eight to 15 gunshots. One bullet hit the front of a police cruiser.

An officer fired back at Cabrera, striking him twice in the back, and life-saving measures were initiated.

"If they're willing to shoot a police officer or federal agent, they're willing to shoot an innocent bystander," the Lakeland Police Chief said.

He had previously pleaded guilty to commercial armed robbery, carjacking, attempted murder, and possession of a firearm as a convicted felon. He entered a guilty plea on Dec. 1, 2023.

The joint agency operation involved the Lakeland Police Department, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco Firearms & Explosives, the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office.

WFLA live streamed the press conference at 10 a.m., which can be viewed in the video player above.


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