Perp in Stolen Camaro Leads FHP on Harrowing Chase | Florida Highway Patrol

Incident Report: On January 9th, 2025, at approximately 2:49 PM, I, Trooper A. Jones with the Florida Highway Patrol, was traveling eastbound on Memorial Blvd in my fully marked patrol car. I observed a Black Camaro traveling at a high rate of speed westbound on Memorial Blvd. The vehicle also matched the description of a vehicle that recently fled from the Auburndale Police Department. I also had prior knowledge of this vehicle swapping the plates with multiple Florida and Georgia plates prior to spotting the vehicle. I made a U-turn on the vehicle bearing a Georgia plate RHN1122, which returned to a BMW, and began to overtake the vehicle, observing the vehicle travel at a high rate of speed in and out of traffic.

As I approached the vehicle, the driver (later identified as Jaaziel E. Calero Nuez) put on his left indicator and attempted to turn into a business. As I got directly behind the vehicle, I activated my emergency lights and siren to conduct a traffic stop. The vehicle changed lanes back into the travel lanes and began to flee, accelerating at an extremely high rate of speed. I advised Tampa Bay Regional Communications Center (TBRCC) that I was in pursuit. I provided locations, speeds, and traffic conditions throughout the pursuit. The vehicle made multiple turns to further elude law enforcement throughout the pursuit.

Once the vehicle made a left onto George Jenkins Blvd from Florida Ave, Trooper H. Saunders and Trooper M. Soto joined the pursuit. As the vehicle approached the intersection with Kathleen Road, the vehicle ran the red light and collided with an SUV and a sedan, which disabled the fleeing vehicle, ending the pursuit.

All troopers exited our patrol cars and approached the vehicle. Trooper Saunders observed Mr. Nuez reaching onto the passenger floorboard, prompting Trooper Saunders to deploy his ASP baton on the driver window. It was later found that a firearm was on the floorboard underneath a green backpack. Trooper Saunders grabbed Mr. Nuez, pulled him out of the vehicle, and escorted him onto the ground. Mr. Nuez then began to actively resist by tensing up and holding one of his arms under his body. Mr. Nuez was then tased by Officer Spoto with the Lakeland Police Department, who arrived on the scene just after the collision. Mr. Nuez was finally placed under arrest at 2:57 PM.

Trooper Saunders pulled a stack of cash out of Mr. Nuez’s pocket during the search of his person. The collision between the Camaro and the SUV caused significant injuries to the driver and passenger of the SUV. Both occupants of the SUV were entrapped and unable to exit the vehicle until the driver’s door was ripped open by the Polk County Fire Department and their tools. Both occupants were transported to the hospital with injuries.

A probable cause search of the vehicle was conducted on the black Camaro. On the vehicle’s floorboard was a green backpack that contained 49.4 grams of raw marijuana inside a clear plastic bag, a scale with marijuana residue on it, two Glock magazines with ammunition, and a Micro Drako magazine with .762 caliber ammunition. Underneath the bag on the floorboard was a Micro Drako with no magazine inside of it. It should be noted that the location where the firearm was found was the exact location that Mr. Nuez was reaching for.

Also located in the vehicle, inside the cup holder, was a programmable key that was able to start the Camaro but was not a Chevy key fob. On the rear seat, a Professional Key Programmer was found, which matched the brand of the key fob. Inside the driver’s door, a screwdriver was found. These tools are all used to commit burglaries and steal vehicles. A Florida plate BV18WW was found in the trunk of the vehicle, which was confirmed stolen by TBRCC.

Through my training and experience, I believe the tightly sealed packaging of raw marijuana over 20 grams, coupled with a scale and cash, demonstrates intent to sell and deliver. The VIN was provided to TBRCC for the black Camaro, and it was confirmed stolen out of Miami PD. A DAVID check of Mr. Nuez’s driver’s license shows he has five prior convictions and is currently driving while his license is suspended/revoked.

Mr. Nuez was transported to Lakeland Regional Hospital and was remotely booked into the Polk County Jail.

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00:30 Pursuit
05:05 Crash
07:35 Mugshot & Charges

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