33-Year-Old Leandro Fernandez Sanchez Has Been Apprehended
UPDATEThe man wanted for his involvement in a deputy-involved shooting and other crimes that occurred last week was arrested Thursday.
At approximately 4:54 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 17, Broward Sheriff’s Office Burglary Apprehension Team (B.A.T.) detectives were conducting proactive surveillance on Leandro Fernandez Sanchez in reference to an armed burglary of a vehicle and stolen firearm in a parking garage at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport.
When detectives attempted to apprehend the suspect, he fled the area driving the stolen vehicle. BSO deputies located the suspect a short distance away. Near the area of the 1400 block of North Perimeter Road, the suspect committed an aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer by driving the stolen car into a deputy’s vehicle. At that time, at least one BSO deputy fired their weapon at the vehicle. The suspect inside the vehicle was able to flee on foot and managed to carjack a Broward County Paratransit TOPS shuttle bus and flee. Broward Sheriff Fire Rescue responded. The driver of the bus sustained minor injuries.
A warrant for Fernandez Sanchez’s arrest was obtained on Friday, Feb. 17. Through investigative methods, Fernandez Sanchez was located uninjured in Kissimmee, Florida.
At approximately 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 23, the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) along with the U.S. Marshals Service Fugitive Task Force with the assistance of the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office took the suspect into custody at the Econo Lodge Inn and Suites located at 4669 W. Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway in Kissimmee. The suspect attempted to evade arrest by disguising themself wearing a wig. His efforts were unsuccessful.
Fernandez Sanchez is expected to be extradited to Broward County to face numerous felony charges including aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer, aggravated fleeing and eluding, carjacking, and armed burglary.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is conducting an investigation into the deputy-involved shooting.
Originally reported by Boca Post
FORT LAUDERDALE, FL (Boca Post) — BSO has located the shuttle bus stolen by a suspect who deputies say fled after they shot at him.
Since the shooting that occurred early on Friday, February 17th, 2023, deputies have located the stolen shuttle bus in Miami-Dade county. Deputies are still searching for the suspect, 33-year-old Leandro Fernandez Sanchez.
Regarding the original incident, it occurred just before 5 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 17, BSO deputies were conducting proactive surveillance on a suspected car thief in a parking garage at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport. Deputies attempted to make contact with the driver of a stolen car. The driver fled the area, and deputies located the driver a short distance away. Near the area of 1400 block of North Perimeter Road, the driver of the stolen car committed an aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer by driving the stolen car into a deputy’s vehicle. At that time, at least one BSO deputy fired their weapon at the vehicle. The suspect inside the vehicle was able to flee on foot. It is unknown if the suspect was struck by the gunfire. The suspect managed to carjack a Broward County Paratransit TOPS shuttle bus and flee. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is conducting an investigation into the deputy-involved shooting.
Broward Sheriff’s Office detectives are asking the public to help investigators locate 33-year-old Leandro Fernandez Sanchez. Fernandez Sanchez is wanted in connection with this morning’s deputy-involved shooting and carjacking of a Broward County Paratransit TOPS shuttle bus. Anyone who has seen the suspect or knows his whereabouts should not approach the suspect, rather, anyone with information should contact Broward Crime Stoppers at 954-493-TIPS (8477).
