MONROE COUNTY, Fla. – A 52-year-old man from Key Largo, Florida, faces a slew of charges, including attempted murder, after a violent domestic incident spiraled into a dangerous chase involving stolen vehicles and a crash on U.S. 1.
Armando Lopez was arrested Sunday after reportedly assaulting a woman, attempting to disarm a responding law enforcement officer, and stealing two vehicles — one of which he crashed.
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The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office responded to a residence on Palm Drive around 4:25 p.m. after reports of domestic violence. Upon arrival, deputies found Lopez allegedly beating an adult female. When a Patrol Sergeant intervened, Lopez tried to grab the officer’s service weapon from its holster while punching the Sergeant.
Lopez fled the scene, and despite being shocked with a Taser, he managed to evade capture. He then stole the Sergeant’s patrol vehicle and sped away.
While driving the stolen patrol car, Lopez stopped a Kia SUV on U.S. 1, forced the female driver out of the vehicle, and took off in the Kia. Moments later, he rear-ended another car near Mile Marker 104, causing the Kia to flip.
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No life-threatening injuries were reported in the crash.
Lopez faces numerous charges, including:
- Attempted murder
- Domestic violence by strangulation
- False imprisonment
- Resisting arrest
- Grand theft auto
- Fleeing and eluding
- Impersonating a law enforcement officer
- Carjacking
- Burglary of both an emergency vehicle and a private vehicle
- Leaving the scene of a crash
- Possession of a firearm or ammunition by a felon
- Driving with a suspended license
Lopez was taken to Mariners Hospital in Tavernier for treatment before being transferred to jail.
Sheriff Rick Ramsay expressed relief that the incident did not result in life-threatening injuries. “I am relieved there were no life-threatening injuries caused by this incident and the suspect is currently where he needs to be — sitting in jail,” Ramsay said. “It is a reminder of the dangers law enforcement officers routinely face while simply doing their jobs.”
Lopez remains in custody as the investigation continues.
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