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Florida authorities recover two stolen semis carrying tires, batteries; one driver escapes

Florida Highway Patrol recovered two tractor-trailers hauling tires and lithium-ion batteries following a September 14 operation coordinated with Georgia State Patrol. Troopers spotted an International tractor pulling a white Hyundai trailer near mile marker 334 on Interstate 95, accompanied by a Freightliner with green intermodal equipment. Both vehicles traveled in tandem toward a TA Travel Center diesel facility in St. Johns. Officers detained Eugenio Gonzalez-Merlo, 42, of Jacksonville, the International's driver, while the Freightliner operator fled on foot. Investigators confirmed the stolen equipment through identification number checks with Effingham County and Liberty County authorities. Gonzalez-Merlo faces two first-degree grand theft charges—one for equipment and another for tires valued at $100,000 or more—plus drug possession counts. He was booked September 15.