Authorities arrested a 35-year-old man after a stolen Nissan was pursued through Hialeah and northwest Miami-Dade.
HIALEAH, FL — A man accused of carjacking a woman after leaving Palmetto General Hospital was taken into custody Thursday after a police pursuit through Hialeah and northwest Miami-Dade ended with officers stopping the stolen car.
Hialeah police identified the man as 35-year-old Eugene Brown. Authorities said Brown had been brought to the hospital for an evaluation under Florida’s Baker Act before leaving the facility and entering the parking lot. Police said he then approached a woman who was getting out of a black Nissan Sentra, forced his way into the vehicle and drove away. The incident set off a search that developed into a pursuit later in the day.
The carjacking happened Thursday morning outside Palmetto General Hospital at 2001 W. 68th St. Police said the Nissan struck another vehicle as the driver fled the hospital parking lot. Emergency personnel evaluated the woman whose car was taken, and Hialeah Fire Rescue took her into the hospital for further evaluation and treatment.
Authorities located the Nissan shortly before 1 p.m. in the area of West 65th Street and 17th Avenue, according to reports from the scene. The encounter quickly became a pursuit involving Hialeah police, Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office deputies and Florida Highway Patrol troopers. The Nissan traveled from Hialeah into northwest Miami-Dade as officers tried repeatedly to bring it to a stop.
Aerial news footage showed the damaged Nissan continuing through traffic as law enforcement vehicles followed. Florida Highway Patrol troopers made several attempts to stop the sedan using precision immobilization maneuvers. The Nissan continued moving after multiple attempts and struck vehicles during the pursuit, including a police cruiser, according to 7News.
The chase eventually reached the area of Northwest 79th Street and 17th Avenue. Authorities succeeded in stopping the Nissan there after another maneuver sent the vehicle out of control. Officers and troopers surrounded the damaged car and took Brown into custody. Video from the scene showed the suspect being removed from the vehicle while still wearing hospital clothing.
The pursuit followed a morning search that began after police learned the patient had left the hospital and a woman’s vehicle had been taken from the parking lot. Hialeah police initially described the circumstances surrounding the stolen car while investigators worked to locate the driver. Later reports identified Brown as the person authorities accused in both the hospital incident and the subsequent pursuit.
Florida’s Baker Act allows people to be taken for an involuntary mental health examination when legal requirements are met. Authorities said Brown had been brought to the hospital under such an order. Officials had not publicly detailed the circumstances that led to that evaluation, and the fact that a person is evaluated under the law does not establish a criminal offense.
Authorities said Brown faces charges including carjacking, burglary, battery and fleeing and eluding. The allegations are criminal accusations and have not been proven in court. 7News reported that Brown was being held at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center in West Miami-Dade following his arrest.
The carjacking and pursuit remain under investigation. Authorities had not released additional details about court proceedings in the case as of Friday.
Author note: Last updated September 25, 2026.