Wesley Chapel, FL – A man in Florida found himself in serious legal trouble after allegedly driving at dangerously high speeds in pursuit of a $60 hidden cash prize during an Instagram scavenger hunt. Law enforcement officials say the reckless attempt to pocket the money near a car dealership resulted in a high-speed chase and multiple traffic violations.
The incident unfolded near State Road 56 close to Shops Lane in Wesley Chapel, just about 25 miles northeast of Tampa. The Florida Highway Patrol reports that the driver, identified as 23-year-old Juanniel Luque Cantillo, was initially spotted speeding while behind the wheel of a Toyota Corolla.
High-Speed Pursuit and Dangerous Driving Maneuvers
According to the probable cause arrest affidavit, a trooper was patrolling the area when he observed the black sedan traveling at approximately 85 mph—well above the posted speed limit. Upon noticing the law enforcement vehicle, the driver accelerated further, reaching speeds close to 106 mph in a 55 mph zone.
The driver demonstrated dangerous behavior at an intersection by making a hard right turn at excessive speed, causing his vehicle to fishtail and lose control temporarily before speeding off again. Additionally, the driver allegedly ran at least two red lights, sparking serious safety concerns.
- Vehicle: Toyota Corolla
- Estimated speed: 106 mph in a 55 mph zone
- Location: Near State Road 56 and Shops Lane, Wesley Chapel
- Traffic violations: Running red lights, reckless driving, fleeing police
Arrest and the Surprising Reason Behind the Chase
The chase ended when the driver activated his hazard lights, slowed down, and eventually pulled over in a grassy ditch. At this point, the trooper drew his firearm and ordered the suspect out of the vehicle. With assistance from a Pasco County Sheriff’s deputy, the man was forcibly removed from the car and taken into custody.
Following his arrest, Luque Cantillo admitted to authorities that he had been speeding to reach the Wesley Chapel BMW dealership. He revealed he was participating in an Instagram scavenger hunt where cash is hidden, and the first to find it gets to keep the prize. In this case, the prize was $60 left somewhere near the dealership. He also admitted that the sight of police made him nervous and prompted him to flee.
“He was speeding to the Wesley Chapel BMW because someone had left behind $60 and the cash was up for grabs as part of a ‘scavenger hunt’ on Instagram,” the affidavit noted.
Charges and Legal Consequences
Juanniel Luque Cantillo was arrested and charged with:
- Fleeing and eluding police
- Reckless driving
- Operating a vehicle at 100 mph or more
After being booked, he was taken to the Pasco County Jail and has since bonded out. Authorities emphasize that activities like participating in social media-driven scavenger hunts can lead to dangerous outcomes and severe legal penalties when they involve reckless behavior.
For more on details and expert commentary, visit the full report here.
The Dangers of Social Media Challenges and Speeding
This incident highlights how seemingly harmless social media challenges can escalate into hazardous situations. Experts warn that chasing after cash prizes or participating in viral scavenger hunts should never compromise public safety.
- Maintaining safe driving speeds is critical to prevent accidents.
- Law enforcement will pursue reckless drivers to protect communities.
- Awareness about legal consequences can deter such dangerous acts.