Credit Card Fraud Suspect Wreaks Havoc in Orlando After Leading FHP on High-Speed Chase!

Incident Report: On April 8th, 2025, at approximately 3:20 PM, I, Trooper C. Bonanno, was on routine patrol in my fully marked Florida Highway Patrol vehicle, equipped with an overhead light bar and attached agency insignia and markings. The patrol vehicle is also the distinct "Black and Tan" color that is only allowed on FHP vehicles as per FSS. All the patrol vehicles had their overhead blue lights on and flashing, clearly identifying themselves as law enforcement officers. I was conducting stationary radar speed enforcement on the express lanes of Interstate 4 East, at approximately the 75-mile marker. I then observed a tan Chevrolet Malibu pass me at approximately 90 MPH in a 60 MPH zone. I then initiated my agency-issued radar, heard a high Doppler tone, and observed a reading of 91 MPH. I then got behind the vehicle, turned on my emergency lights and siren in an attempt to conduct a traffic stop on the vehicle. The vehicle then accelerated to a high rate of speed and proceeded to weave in and out of traffic in an attempt to elude the attempted traffic stop. I then informed FHP dispatch that I was in pursuit of the tan Chevrolet. During the pursuit I concluded, the Chevy fled from my fully marked patrol vehicle at extreme high rates of speed, at times 40 MPH over the speed limit, with wanton disregard for life and property. The patrol vehicle had lights and sirens clearly audible and displaying the entire time while Mr. Dixon fled from me. I observed that the vehicle exceeded speeds of over 100 MPH. Furthermore, the vehicle had gotten off the Interstate and had collided with three other civilian vehicles and continued to drive away. There was then what appeared to be heavy front right damage to the vehicle. Due to the driving pattern of the vehicle, and a break in traffic; at approximately the intersection of Orange Blossom Trail and Interstate 4, I attempted a PIT on the vehicle. The vehicle then spun out and briefly traveled against the wrong way of traffic of the Interstate 4 exit ramp, then corrected back onto the Interstate 4 entrance ramp. Then, the vehicle then traveled onto Interstate 4, then off at the next exit to W Kaley Street where Trooper Bellavoir ID# 1764 was able to continue the pursuit. Trooper Bellavoir was then able to get the vehicle stopped within the parking lot of 490 E South Street. The male driver, later identified as Tristen Steven Dixon, then got out of the Chevrolet Malibu and ran from Trooper Bellavoir. Trooper Bellavoir was then able to apprehend Mr. Dixon. Furthermore, the female passenger, who was later identified as Melyssa Ann Dray, had also absconded from the vehicle. I observed that Ms. Dray was at the front of the building of 490 E South Street. I then gave her verbal commands to stop walking away, and to get on the ground. Ms. Dray then complied with commands, and I was able to get her into handcuffs, and place her into my patrol vehicle. Mr. Dixon was then also placed into the backseat of my patrol vehicle, where he was then treated by EMS for injuries. Mr. Dixon was then transported to Orlando Regional Medical Center, and Ms. Dray refused treatment by EMS.

I observed on FCIC/NCIC that Mr. Dixon has 3 prior driving while license suspended convictions, and multiple warrants in Orange and Osceola County. During a search incident to arrest of the vehicle, and an inventory, around 200 copies of hotel receipts were in the vehicle containing names, dates of birth, copies of credit cards with numbers and expiration dates belonging to the victims on the receipts. Two books of handwritten numbers, names, expiration dates and credit card numbers were found all with the papers with a conservative amount of 100.

This individual most likely works at one of these hotels and is making copies of all the credit cards on file and stealing them for fraudulent use. A Florida driver's license was located with the picture erased. This is how suspects use stolen credit cards by placing their photo on the stolen licenses. The two suspects had an estimated 310 counts of personal identification information ranging from physical credit cards, stolen mail, paper books, credit card numbers and personal information for multiple victims. The suspect had a laptop in the front seat that most likely has more personal identification information, and a warrant will be applied for a data pull. Mr. Dixon later stated that the laptop that was found belonged to him. See Trooper Zigler's and Trooper Pubillones' incident report for further details.

Due to the totality of the circumstances Mr. Dixon is charged with Fleeing to Elude Law Enforcement, Reckless Driving, Leaving the Scene of a Crash three times, Speeding on the Interstate 30 MPH or over, 310 counts of Criminal Use of Personal Identification, Theft – Obtaining Credit Card Through Fraudulent Means, and Trafficking in Possession of Counterfeit Credit Cards.