‘Bad man’ arrested after killing two people and fleeing police in Tampa, sheriff says

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) – The suspect accused of killing a man and a woman in two separate incidents and arrested by law enforcement officers in Tampa on Saturday has been arrested, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office announced.

Shortly after 2 p.m., the sheriff’s office was called after a body was found in the 4800 block of Alvarado Drive in Tampa.

When officers arrived, they found the victim and the mother of a 5-year-old child, Lianet Santos Sosa, 31, with injuries to her upper body. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

During the investigation, officers learned that the suspect, 35-year-old Silvio Ramon Franco Peralta, had fled the scene in the woman’s vehicle.

Franco Peralta then entered the city of Tampa, where he got into an altercation with a man at 8710 North Packwood Avenue. The altercation escalated, resulting in Franco Peralta killing the man, officials said.

According to HCSO, officers issued an alert for the vehicle and located the suspect within minutes. Franco Peralta attempted to flee the scene but was apprehended after a short foot pursuit.

“It is devastating to know that a 5-year-old child will grow up without his mother because of the senseless violence of this evil man. His complete disregard for human life has forever changed the lives of two families,” Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister said in a statement. “I am proud of our officers and their quick actions. They used their training to stop this dangerous man from causing even more harm to our community and ensured these families received the justice they deserve.”

Franco Peralta faces several charges, including first-degree intentional murder with a weapon, armed home invasion with bodily injury, grand theft auto, aggravated escape, driving without a license and driving without violence.

Further charges may also be filed by the Tampa Police Department. The investigation is ongoing.