2024

~The suspect was a convicted felon who chased another driver after the first crash, brandishing a firearm~

WESLEY CHAPEL, Fla.- Yesterday afternoon, the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) responded to two related hit-and-run crashes involving a white Dodge Challenger with Georgia license plates.

The initial crash occurred in the parking lot of a Burger King near the intersection of Bruce B. Downs Boulevard and State Road 54 (SR-54) in Wesley Chapel. The driver of a white GMC Sierra unintentionally hit a white Dodge Challenger as they were leaving the fast-food parking lot. In response, the driver of the GMC pulled back into the Burger King parking. However, the driver of the Challenger reportedly became angry and hostile, causing the driver of the GMC to leave in fear of further altercation.

The GMC began traveling westbound on SR-54 and while stopped under the Interstate 75 (I-75) bridge the Challenger’s driver followed and displayed a firearm in a manner which caused the driver of the GMC to be in fear for his life. The driver of the Challenger continued to pursue the GMC as it traveled eastbound on SR-54 onto Oakley Boulevard, there the driver of the GMC pulled into the Grove Plaza and met with law enforcement. At some point during the pursuit of the GMC the driver of the Challenger hit a silver Ford F250 and continued traveling after the GMC without stopping.

When questioned about the initial crash, the driver of the Dodge Challenger, identified as Afranur Rahman, 29, of Temple Terrace, advised the GMC hit his vehicle and fled, causing him to follow the GMC for leaving the crash scene. Rahman also advised that he did not have a firearm in the vehicle. Rahman’s passenger was asked about the incidents if anything in the vehicle belonged to them, and if the Challenger, a rental vehicle, was under their name or Rahman’s. The passenger advised that the vehicle was under Rahman’s name, their only possessions within the vehicle were a phone and wallet, and that they believed that the other vehicles had crashed into them, and they had not hit any other vehicle.

During a probable cause search of the Dodge Challenger, Troopers found a backpack located behind the driver’s seat. The backpack contained $4,103 in cash, a cell phone, two wrapped items that were later confirmed to be fentanyl (66.7 grams), a bottle of codeine (136.5 grams), and a 9mm firearm.

Afranur Rahman was placed under arrest and as the tow truck arrived a trash bag was pulled from the trunk of the Challenger containing water bottles and a package of a green leafy substance determined to be over five pounds of marijuana.

FHP transporter Afranur Rahman to Pasco County Jail where he was booked without incident on the following charges:

• Ownership, lease, rental, or possession of structure or vehicle for trafficking in or manufacturing a controlled substance
• Trafficking in Fentanyl 4 grams or more
• Possession of Drug Equipment
• Aggravated Assault with deadly weapon without intent to kill
• Marijuana possession with intent to sell, manufacture or deliver
• Possession of a Controlled Substance without Prescription
• Improper Exhibit Firearm or Dangerous Weapon
• Possession of a Firearm or Ammunition by a Convicted Felon

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