Yam Brandy Perera Núñez, a Cuban national and federal fugitive, was apprehended last Thursday in Hialeah, Florida, following two daring escapes from law enforcement. He is now facing an additional criminal charge, as indicated by court documents.
Perera Núñez, aged 41, with a criminal history stretching back to 2003, is charged with aggravated assault using a deadly weapon. This new charge is in addition to previous ones including aggravated evasion, severe battery, violent resistance, and grand theft, all accumulated during a two-day manhunt that involved various South Florida agencies, according to NBC Miami.
Previously deported to Cuba in September 2025, Perera Núñez illegally re-entered the United States, a federal offense that marked him as a wanted fugitive, as reported by the media.
High-Speed Chase and Capture
The events unfolded last Wednesday when Perera Núñez refused to stop for Florida Highway Patrol officers while driving a white Dodge truck with a trailer along Okeechobee Road. The chase ended when he abandoned the vehicle and fled on foot near Northwest 137th Avenue and Northwest 178th Street in Miami-Dade County. Despite the deployment of helicopters, roadblocks, and a canine unit, he initially evaded capture.
The truck and trailer, both stolen, were linked to a heavy equipment theft ring operating across several Florida counties, including DeSoto, Highlands, and Hendry.
Final Arrest and Legal Proceedings
The following day, Hialeah Police's K-9 unit was instrumental in locating the fugitive in a Walgreens parking lot near West 68th Street and 12th Avenue. Perera Núñez attempted to resist arrest but was subdued with a Taser and detained by over 20 officers.
Footage from a witness captured the suspect falling to the ground as a swarm of officers closed in. A Corvette was towed from the scene.
Perera Núñez's criminal record dates back to 2003, including charges of grand theft, resisting arrest, burglary, and drug trafficking. He was once detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). In June 2025, he was arrested by DeSoto County Sheriff's Office for stealing a forklift valued at nearly $100,000 and was classified as a chronic offender.
His arrest in Miami-Dade led to road closures, impacting local residents for hours and involving officers from the Florida Highway Patrol, Hialeah Police, and the Department of Homeland Security. At least ten patrol units participated in the high-speed pursuit.
Perera Núñez appeared in court on Saturday, visibly injured with facial bruises and his arm in a sling due to injuries sustained during his arrest. The judge set his bail at $40,000, but his release is unlikely given his status as a federal fugitive and pending legal issues.
Understanding the Legal Challenges Facing Perera Núñez
What are the new charges against Yam Brandy Perera Núñez?
Perera Núñez faces a new charge of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, in addition to previous charges of aggravated evasion, serious battery, violent resistance, and grand theft.
Why was Perera Núñez considered a federal fugitive?
He was deemed a federal fugitive due to his illegal re-entry into the United States after being deported to Cuba in September 2025, a violation of federal law.
What led to the high-speed chase involving Perera Núñez?
The chase began when Perera Núñez refused to stop for Florida Highway Patrol officers while driving a stolen vehicle linked to a heavy equipment theft ring.