A 23-year-old man from Miami Gardens was arrested twice in less than a week after leading law enforcement on two separate chases down U.S. 1. Jefry Julian Chaucanes Vasquez was released from the Monroe County jail on June 12, 2026, and immediately stole a Ford SUV from the Plantation Key Courthouse parking lot.
Details of the Incident
The incident started on Friday around 5 p.m. when the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office received notice that the Florida Highway Patrol was pursuing a Ford SUV. The vehicle had fled from a reckless driving traffic stop near Mile Marker 83. The Highway Patrol took the lead on the pursuit while the Sheriff’s Office assisted.
They eventually stopped the Ford near Mile Marker 61, where Chaucanes Vasquez was taken into custody and brought straight back to jail. Before taking the SUV, deputies say Chaucanes Vasquez broke into a different vehicle in the parking lot and stole an iPhone charger.
The Sheriff’s Office charged him with theft and burglary of an unoccupied vehicle for that specific break-in. Meanwhile, the Highway Patrol filed multiple charges connected to the stolen Ford and the subsequent chase.
Previous Arrest
This latest arrest happened just days after he was booked for a very similar crime. During a June 9, 2026 incident, Chaucanes Vasquez fled from the Sheriff’s Office on U.S. 1, hitting speeds of 125 mph.
For that chase, he was charged with DUI, fleeing and eluding, reckless driving, excessive speeding, and possession of a controlled substance without a prescription. Authorities confirmed that no serious injuries were reported in either incident.
Original reporting: Tampa Free Press — read the source article.
