Trooper Juan Cuevas, a member of Troop D's I-4 Squad.

On Interstate 4 just after 6:00 PM on March 12th, Trooper Juan Cuevas, a member of Troop D's I-4 Squad, was working a minor crash when a motorist stopped to inform him that there was an incident of road rage involving two vehicles traveling westbound on I-4. The motorist pointed to the vehicle, identifying a Toyota, and Trooper Cuevas got into his patrol car and attempted to stop the driver of the car. The driver exited off I-4 onto State Road 535, where he ran a red light and crashed into two vehicles. The driver of the Toyota and four passengers jumped out of the vehicle and fled on foot. Trooper Cuevas exited his patrol car and chased the subjects as he radioed his position to the communications center.

Minutes later, Trooper Cuevas caught the driver and subsequently arrested the 19 year old who was armed with a loaded gun and wearing a bulletproof vest. An off-duty Leon County deputy and off-duty Sarasota County deputy staying at a nearby hotel stopped to assist Trooper Scott Keith, also of the I-4 Squad. They located three of the suspects hiding in a nearby local restaurant bathroom. Local deputies located the last subject. All were taken into custody. Also found in the vehicle were two more guns, drugs, and a large amount of money. Congratulations to Trooper Cuevas and Trooper Scott Keith for catching these violent subjects before they could harm anyone.

Trooper Scott Keith,
a member of Troop D’s I-4 Squad.