BY: ANDREW COLTON | Editor and Publisher
UPDATE: 5:27 p.m. — BSO just issued this statement: “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) or online at browardcrimestoppers.org.
BROWARD COUNTY, FL (BocaNewsNow.com) (Copyright © 2023 MetroDesk Media, LLC) — The search continues mid-day Friday for a carjacked Paratransit bus from Fort Lauderdale Hollywood International Airport.
The story broke during “South Florida’s First News with Andrew Colton” on NewsRadio 610 WIOD. As we reported at the time, police apparently exchanged gunfire with the carjacker who took what is described as “Tops Bus” being driven by a Broward County employee. No one was injured. The Broward Sheriff’s Office just released the following information at 1:55 p.m:
“Broward Sheriff’s Office detectives are releasing information regarding the Broward County Paratransit TOPS Bus that was carjacked this morning. The subject believed to be driving the bus is connected to this morning’s deputy-involved shooting. Detectives have issued a countywide BOLO (Be On The Lookout) for the Broward County Paratransit TOPS Bus. The bus is described as a 2019 Collins bus, identified as bus #309, FL Tag TI0261. Anyone who sees the bus or knows the whereabouts of the bus is asked to contact Broward Crime Stoppers at 954-493-TIPS (8477) or online at browardcrimestoppers.org.”
That follows the first media advisory this morning: “The Broward Sheriff’s Office is investigating a deputy-involved shooting that occurred at approximately 4:59 a.m. near the 1400 block and Perimeter Road in Fort Lauderdale. Following the shooting, the subject carjacked a Broward County Shuttle Bus removing the bus operator and subsequently fleeing the area. The bus was unoccupied. Deputies are actively searching for the subject. At this time, the circumstances of the shooting are under active investigation. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is on scene and will investigate the shooting.” Airport traffic has returned to normal.
LOCAL JOURNALISM SUPPORTER.
