Driver of stolen box truck apprehended in Gainesville

Press release from Florida Highway Patrol

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – At 7:00 a.m. today, Florida Highway Patrol was notified that a box truck stolen in Hillsborough County was northbound on I-75 in Marion County, approaching Alachua County. The driver of the box truck, who was later identified as Brandon J. Baker, age 33, had also allegedly been involved in a carjacking incident before stealing the box truck.

Florida Highway Patrol Troopers attempted a traffic stop, but the driver refused to stop and began driving north in the southbound lanes of I-75. Alachua County Sheriff’s Deputies also attempted to stop the vehicle without success.

Just before 7:30 a.m., the box truck drove to the 2100 block of SW 34th Street in Gainesville, where the driver exited the vehicle and attempted to flee on foot but was taken into custody by Florida Highway Patrol and Alachua County Sheriff’s Office.

Baker will be booked into the Alachua County Jail on multiple felony charges, with additional charges filed by Tampa Police Department.