On April 22, 2026, an agent from Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) informed the Florida Highway Patrol Criminal Interdiction Unit (CIU) that they were conducting surveillance on a subject and requested assistance with a traffic stop. HSI, in collaboration with several local, state, and federal agencies, was looking for a federal fugitive wanted on several felony offenses, with a criminal history dating back more than two decades. Several unmarked units spotted a white Dodge Ram pulling a trailer in the vicinity of U.S. 27 and Pembroke Road. The agents confirmed the vehicle as the target and attempted to apprehend the driver, who was in physical control of and operating the vehicle. FHP CIU later located the vehicle traveling southbound on U.S. 27 near Pines Boulevard and attempted to conduct a traffic stop. However, the subject disregarded the officers' commands, accelerated away, and began fleeing and eluding.