LAKELAND, Fla. – A convicted felon will spend the next four decades behind bars for shooting at federal agents while leading them on a high-speed, multi-county chase through Plant City and Lakeland.

Francisco Cabrera, 29, of Dover, robbed two convenience stores and a gas station City of Plants and Brandon from January 13-17, 2022.

During those robberies, officials say Cabrera held the victims at gunpoint.

Sometimes he removed the magazine from the gun, showed the victims bullets and declared, “This is for real” or “Give me the money or I’ll shoot you.”

On January 19, 2022, Cabrera returned to the gas station he had robbed and carjacked a man sitting inside a truck outside. While driving, authorities say he pointed his firearm at others who tried to stop him and help the victim.

Pictured: Francisco Cabrera

Later that day, detectives from Lakeland The police department and agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) located Cabrera in Plant City.

Law enforcement began chasing him with lights and sirens on. The Cabera got onto I-4 and headed toward Lakeland going 100 miles an hour.

During an 11-mile pursuit, Cabrera nearly crashed into a truck, ran a red light and into oncoming traffic, causing other vehicles to take evasive action, and narrowly missed hitting other vehicles.

While speeding away from law enforcement, Cabrera opened fire on local and federal agents, firing approximately 8 to 15 shots at seven different police officers. On one occasion, he fired at two officers in front of him outside their vehicles who were attempting to deploy stop batons, striking the front hood of one of their vehicles.

After ensuring that no other law enforcement officers or civilians would be in danger, an ATF agent shot Cabera and hit him twice in the lower back.

Lakeland police officers and ATF agents then surrounded Cabrera and administered first aid and medical attention, saving his life.

Cabrera was sentenced to 38 years in federal prison for robbery, car theft, attempted murder and possession of a firearm as a convicted felon.

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