LAKELAND -- A man wanted in connection with armed robberies and other violent crimes is in the hospital after getting shot and tased at the end of a police pursuit and shootout.
Hillsborough Sheriff Chad Chronister said 27-year-old Francisco Cabrera was under surveillance by a joint ATF task force when he decided to speed away from a Plant City fast food restaurant Wednesday morning. That led to a pursuit on Interstate 4 and U.S. 92. Chronister said Cabrera shot at law enforcement, showing disregard for anyone's life but his own. The pursuit ended on U.S. 92 near a Publix warehouse, where a Lakeland police officer shot Cabrera. Even that wasn't enough, Chronister said, as Cabrera was combative as deputies and officers worked to remove him from the car. They ended up tasing him.
Chronister said Cabrera was taken to Lakeland Regional Medical Center for surgery. His next destination is the Polk County Jail as he awaits trial.
"This individual will never ever have the opportunity to inflict pain on another member in either of our communities," Chronister said.
Photo: HCSO/Canva