POLK COUNTY, Fla. – A traffic stop for dark window tinting on US 27 escalated into a foot pursuit and taser deployment early Saturday morning near Davenport.
Polk County Sheriff’s deputies stopped a black Honda around 6:00 a.m. on April 11th, only to have the driver, 24-year-old Luis Benavidez Rocha, immediately jump out of the vehicle and attempt to flee on foot.
According to arrest records, the Honda had Missouri license plates that were not registered to the car.
After ignoring several commands to stop, Benavidez Rocha led deputies on a chase before attempting to hide behind a concrete wall. He continued to refuse to surrender until a deputy deployed a Taser to bring him into custody.
A subsequent inspection of the vehicle revealed significant irregularities. Investigators discovered the Honda contained multiple different Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) and had not been legally registered since 2020.
READ: The ‘Stolen’ Charger That Never Left: Tampa Man Caught In Lakeland Traffic Stop
Benavidez Rocha, who entered the United States from Mexico six years ago, has never been issued a driver’s license or vehicle insurance in any state.
When questioned by deputies about his decision to run, Benavidez Rocha was blunt about his motivations.
“Because I’m illegal and I’ve seen all that ICE stuff on the news,” he reportedly told investigators. “I know I’m in Polk County.”
Benavidez Rocha faces a litany of charges, including possession of an altered VIN, possession of a counterfeit license plate, resisting an officer without violence, and operating a vehicle without a license or insurance.
Under Florida law, his charges have been enhanced by one degree due to his illegal status in the country. He was transported to the Sheriff’s Processing Center, and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has since placed a formal hold on him.
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