TAMPA, FL – A Dover man is facing a potential life sentence after a brazen spree of robberies culminated in a violent shootout with federal agents on Interstate 4 last year. Francisco Cabrera, 28, has been indicted on charges of armed robbery, armed carjacking, and attempted murder of ATF agents, U.S. Attorney Roger B. Handberg announced Wednesday.
The indictment details a series of incidents between January 13 and 17, 2022, where Cabrera allegedly robbed two smoke shops and one gas station across the Tampa Bay area. In each case, Cabrera reportedly brandished a loaded pistol magazine, inserted it into the weapon, and pointed it directly at terrified victims. The robbery streak escalated on January 19th, when Cabrera allegedly carjacked a victim at gunpoint at another gas station.
That same day, agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and officers with the Lakeland Police Department located Cabrera and attempted to initiate a traffic stop. Instead of complying, Cabrera allegedly slammed on the gas, leading authorities on a high-speed chase reaching over 100 miles per hour through heavy midday traffic – including a stretch on I-4. The chase ended only after Cabrera began firing multiple shots from his driver-side window at the pursuing agents and officers.
ATF agents returned fire, striking Cabrera and bringing the dangerous pursuit to a halt. Miraculously, no other individuals – either law enforcement or civilians – were injured during the exchange. Cabrera is also facing separate charges of attempted murder brought by the State Attorney’s Office (10th Judicial Circuit) for allegedly targeting local law enforcement during the same incident.
If convicted on all federal counts, Cabrera faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 28 years in federal prison, with the possibility of a life sentence. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Diego F. Novaes and is part of the Department of Justice’s Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program focused on reducing violent crime and gun violence.
The investigation was a joint effort between the ATF and the Lakeland Police Department. While the indictment represents a significant step, authorities remind the public that it is merely a formal accusation, and Cabrera is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The Grimy Times will continue to follow this case as it unfolds.
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Key Facts
- Agency: ATF
- Category: Weapons|Violent Crime|Organized Crime
- Source: Official Press Release
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