Immokalee man accused of stealing semi-truck

IMMOKALEE, Fla. A 19-year-old man was arrested Friday in connection with grand theft auto, according to the Collier County Sheriff’s Office.

Alfredo Jr. Perez, of Immokalee faces charges of third-degree grand theft auto and resisting an officer without violence, the sheriff’s office said.

Deputies responded to the 600 block of West Main Street in response to a stolen vehicle, possibly involved in a crash, deputies said. Perez was found in the driver seat and refused to exit the truck.

A deputy used an agency-issued emergency hammer to break the glass on the passenger side of the truck, deputies said. Perez was holding the truck’s radio microphone yelling “all will be forgiven under God.”

Perez, who continued to rant into the microphone, was pepper sprayed after he refused to exit the vehicle, deputies said. Officials broke into the driver side-door and attempted to assist Perez out of the vehicle.

Perez was accused of wrapping his arms around the steering wheel to resist the arrest, deputies said. Perez was then tased and handcuffed.

Perez lost consciousness and was taken to Physicians Regional Hospital for treatment along with an officer affected by the pepper spray, deputies said. Their condition is unclear at this time.

Perez was admitted into the hospital and his custody was transferred to the Collier County Jail, deputies said.

Perez is scheduled to appear in court on Oct. 16 and a bond has not yet been set.