A convicted felon was arrested Monday after he was accused of stealing a skid steer from Highway 31 in DeSoto County and starting a high-speed chase after a failed traffic stop.
Yam B. Perera Nunez, 40, was arrested, and he was also found by deputies with an expired license. The truck he drove, a black Dodge Ram, was also stolen, according to the DeSoto County Sheriff's Office.
The DCSO said that its Criminal Investigative Division was investigating the theft of a $98,000 Takeuchi Skid Steer for multiple weeks. Investigators were able to track the truck and skid steer traveling in the county, while Highlands and Hendry Counties Sheriff's Offices were on the lookout. The Arcadia Police Department also assisted.
According to the DCSO, the truck was also suspected to be involved in pursuits with Okeechobee, Broward and other counties sheriff's offices. When deputies attempted to conduct a traffic stop, Nunez is accused of fleeing.
Nunez is accused of then leading deputies on a chase down Highway 70. The DCSO said that the Florida Highway Patrol assisted in the chase, and the truck was pitted and rolled, and Nunez was arrested in Highlands County.
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