On Tuesday night, a 40-year-old man found himself under arrest in Hillsborough County, Florida, after a failed attempt to escape a traffic stop. His flight was short-lived, lasting only moments before a police officer subdued him with a taser. This dramatic incident was captured on the officers' body cameras.
The event unfolded shortly before 9 p.m. near the intersection of Benjamin Road and Johns Road. Deputies from the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office (HCSO) had pulled over a vehicle with license plates flagged as stolen.
According to video released by HCSO, the driver, identified as Osmiel Durán, initially stepped out of the car and explained to the officers that he had bought the vehicle with those plates attached.
“We bought the car like this. The man gave us the plate,” Durán stated.
The situation escalated when an officer informed Durán that he was under arrest and asked him to place his hands behind his back. At that moment, Durán attempted to flee on foot.
The officer responded swiftly, issuing the standard warning of “Taser, taser!” before deploying the device. The electrical charge brought Durán down, and he was apprehended a short distance away without further complications.
Legal Troubles and Repeat Offenses
Following the arrest, Durán faced charges for operating an unregistered vehicle, driving with a revoked license as a habitual offender, resisting an officer without violence, and petty theft of items valued at $100 or less. His bail was set at $5,000.
As reported by the sheriff's office, Durán has a history of 12 prior convictions for driving with a suspended license, marking him as a habitual offender under Florida law. In Florida, accumulating three or more convictions for driving with a suspended license can lead to a five-year revocation of driving privileges and a third-degree felony charge, which carries a potential five-year prison sentence.
The sheriff's office succinctly summarized Durán's situation in a message accompanying the video: "Durán already has 12 prior convictions for driving with a suspended license, and now he adds several more charges to his record."
As of now, authorities have not publicly disclosed the nationality of Osmiel Durán.
Legal Repercussions and Traffic Offenses in Florida
What charges is Osmiel Durán facing?
Osmiel Durán is facing charges for operating an unregistered vehicle, driving with a revoked license as a habitual offender, resisting an officer without violence, and petty theft.
What are the consequences of a habitual offender status in Florida?
In Florida, being labeled as a habitual offender due to multiple convictions for driving with a suspended license can result in a five-year revocation of driving privileges and a third-degree felony charge, which could lead to up to five years in prison.