DOVER, Fla. – A routine traffic stop on Wednesday, May 28, 2025, escalated into a dangerous pursuit and multiple collisions, leading to the arrest of a man who allegedly struck deputies’ vehicles repeatedly while attempting to evade capture.
The incident concluded with the suspect crashing his car and then attempting to flee on foot, even after being apprehended.
According to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, deputies initiated a traffic stop on a vehicle without a license plate on Renfroe Avenue in Dover. The driver, identified as 34-year-old Andrew Bhagwandeen, immediately sped off, striking a deputy’s patrol car in his initial attempt to flee.
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The pursuit continued as deputies attempted to stop Bhagwandeen, who then hit another deputy’s vehicle before crashing his car. Even after the crash, Bhagwandeen allegedly tried to flee on foot, but deputies quickly apprehended him. However, his attempts to escape continued even while in custody, as he reportedly tried to flee on foot a second time.
The passenger in Bhagwandeen’s vehicle, 53-year-old Kenneth Nash, told deputies that he had asked Bhagwandeen to let him out of the vehicle before the chase began, but Bhagwandeen refused.
Nash was also arrested and charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance and Possession of Drugs without a Prescription.
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“This suspect made his situation exponentially worse by attempting to flee. His actions were incredibly dangerous and put our deputies and the community at risk, which we do not take lightly,” said Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister. “If you’re being pulled over, stop, or you’ll have a lot more time to think about your actions behind bars like this man.”
Andrew Bhagwandeen faces a lengthy list of charges, including:
- Kidnapping
- Aggravated Battery on Law Enforcement Deadly Weapon (x3)
- Aggravated Fleeing to Elude
- Prisoner Escape or Attempt to Escape
- Resist Officer With Violence
- Resist Officer Without Violence
- Criminal Mischief $1,000 or More
- Leaving the Scene of a Crash With Property Damage
- Possession of Amphetamine
- Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
- Unlawful Possession of Personal ID
- Operating Unregistered Vehicle
- Driving With License Canceled, Suspended, or Revoked (3rd Offense)
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