Criminal charges can follow simple traffic infractions such as seatbelt violations. In this case, it was driving a car with window tint that was allegedly too dark.
A Palm Beach County sheriff's deputy wrote about “conducting proactive patrol in the area of I-95 and 10th Avenue N. in Lake Worth Beach [and seeing] a white Genesis 4-door vehicle traveling eastbound [with] extremely dark window tint which appeared to be in violation of [the law].”
That was in the early afternoon of Friday, Nov. 4.
The deputy continued, “While driving behind the vehicle, with sunlight going through the front windshield of the vehicle, I could vaguely make out the operator to be a [man] with short to mid dread/twist hairstyle. Based on the above infraction, I attempted to conduct a traffic stop using my PBSO unmarked vehicle, activating my lights and sirens as the vehicle was turning onto I-95 northbound.
...causing them to swerve out of the way to avoid collision.
“The vehicle immediately began to accelerate, failing to stop and completely disregarding my attempts to conduct a lawful traffic stop. Due to the vehicle driving reckless [sic] and being traffic-related only, I deactivated my lights and sirens, terminated my attempts to conduct a traffic stop and stop following the vehicle, slowing down to create distance from it. The vehicle was last seen traveling northbound on I-95, traveling at an extremely high rate of speed, cutting in front of several other motor vehicles, causing them to swerve out of the way to avoid collision.”
Altidor has a criminal history...
The chase ended but an investigation started.
The deputy wrote about developing Evens Altidor, 19, as a potential suspect and noted, “Altidor has a criminal history in [computer] which involves aggravated fleeing and eluding, possession and sale of narcotics, and grand theft auto. Altidor also matches the physical description of the male I had initially seen operating the vehicle. Altidor also has a suspended license since 09/28/2021 for failure to pay a traffic fine.
“On 11/8/2022, I traveled to Altidor's most recent address per [driver’s license in] Greenacres. This is a residential complex which contains quadplex-style housing. In the parking lot of the above residence in the southeast corner, I observed the Genesis parked and backed in with no occupants. I confirmed the tag on this vehicle which was an exact match for the Genesis which had fled from me on 11/4/2022. This vehicle also has another distinguishable trait in that it is missing its front grill. I then left the area.”
...to maintain constant visual of Altidor’s front gate
The deputy wasn’t alone when visiting nine days later.
According to the arrest report, “At 11/17/2022 at approximately 9:30 a.m., I again traveled to Altidor's residence where I observed the Genesis in the same parking lot. At this time, I informed other [agents and another deputy] of the above information and set up a point of surveillance in which I was able to maintain constant visual of Altidor’s front gate which is the only entry/exit point to the residence.
“A plan was formulated with above agents to attempt to conduct a traffic stop on the Genesis if it became mobile. At approximately 10:27 a.m., I observed Evens Altidor exit his residence through the front gate. Altidor was wearing and also had a black satchel along the left side of his body. Altidor also has medium dread/twist style hair approximately shoulder length. ... He was observed entering the driver seat of the Genesis where he sat for approximately 25 minutes.
“The vehicle then went mobile, and this information was relayed to above agents. Agents followed and maintained constant visual on this vehicle south on Sherwood Forest Boulevard to Melaleuca Lane. The vehicle then went west on Melaleuca Lane to S. Jog Road where it proceeded to turn southbound.
in a reckless manner, changing lanes rapidly...
“While agents were positioned behind the vehicle southbound on Jog Road, the vehicle suddenly began to drive in excess of the speed limit. The vehicle then made an abrupt U-turn to travel north, just north of the intersection with Lantana Road. At this time, Altidor began to drive in a reckless manner, changing lanes rapidly, cutting other vehicles off and forcing them to brake to avoid collision. As the vehicle approached the intersection with Melaleuca and Jog Road, it traveled from the far-left lane all the way across to the far right, running the red light and almost causing an accident inside the intersection. [The other deputy] then attempted a traffic stop on the vehicle at that intersection by activating the lights and sirens equipped in his PBSO unmarked vehicle. The Genesis proceeded traveling eastbound at extremely high rate of speed to Sherwood Forest Boulevard.
“[That deputy] advised that as the vehicle turned northbound, he observed it enter the southbound lanes of travel to pass northbound vehicles. [That deputy] advised that he observed several vehicles drive off the side of the roadway to avoid collision and at this time all attempts to stop the vehicle were terminated.”
The was the end of the report. It was signed Nov. 18. Evens Altidor was going to be charged with fleeing or attempting to elude, reckless driving, and driving with a suspended license — but he was still on the loose.
The pursuit ended but the case didn't.
That same deputy wrote about getting an arrest warrant for Altidor on those charges.
Four days later, PBSO tactical agents and members of the Street Crime Unit were assigned to try again to catch him.
“Units set up a point of surveillance at Altidor’s residence in Greenacres at approximately 9 a.m.,” according to the second report. “At approximately 11:15 a.m., Altidor was observed exiting the front gate/courtyard to his residence. Altidor was observed wearing Altidor was also in possession of a black satchel/handbag. Visual was maintained on Altidor from the moment he exited his residence and was never lost.
“As Altidor was walking to his vehicle, agents moved in to apprehend Altidor. Altidor knew of the presence of deputies and their attempts to arrest him as commands were given to Altidor to stop moving, as well as the lights and sirens activated on an unmarked vehicle. At this time, Altidor turned toward his fence and threw the black satchel/handbag into his courtyard, which is enclosed by a fence. Altidor was then arrested without incident. Altidor, at the time of his arrest, spontaneously stated, ‘I'm going to be gone for years.’
In plain view, on the passenger seat...
“Altidor had $565 in his possession at the time of his arrest. The currency was in multiple denominations. He also had two phones in his possession.
“The black/satchel handbag that Altidor threw over the fence was the same black satchel/handbag I had observed Altidor holding on 11/17/2022. The Genesis Altidor was driving was parked in the parking lot of his complex. Altidor had the vehicle keys in his possession upon his arrest. In plain view, on the passenger seat of the seat [sic] was a clear plastic baggie containing a clear leafy substance which I suspected to be suspect [sic] marijuana. Upon opening the vehicle and recovering this bag, the marijuana was field-tested yielding positive results. In the rear passenger seat of the vehicle was a backpack also contained a large vacuumed sealed bag of marijuana.”
a tan loaded Glock 19x 9 mm semi-automatic handgun
Then came a search warrant for that “black satchel/handbag in which Evens Altidor had purposely discarded onto the curtilage of his property upon apprehension for his arrest.”
According to the arrest report, “Upon recovery of the satchel/handbag, which was a black Louis Vuitton brand, I located a tan loaded Glock 19x 9 mm semi-automatic handgun, a small black scale with a narcotic residue, a black Samsung cellular phone, and a black container. Upon opening said container, I observed six clear capsules which contained an off-white powder. Based on my training and experience in narcotics, I immediately recognized this substance to be suspected fentanyl. There were also several capsules with fentanyl residue inside of this container. The suspected fentanyl tested positive in a field test. ...
“Altidor is a delinquent in possession of a firearm, as he received a withheld adjudication on March 18, 2019, in Palm Beach County, and he is under 24 years of age.
“Based on the above, I had reason to believe that there may be further fentanyl/firearms inside of Altidor’s [sic]. Another search warrant was drafted and signed... I then executed the warrant. Altidor’s bedroom is located in the first floor of the two-story townhome in the southwest corner.
“There was a brown desk in Altidor’s room with one drawer. Upon opening the drawer, I observed several clear plastic baggies containing an off-white powder which I suspected to be fentanyl. This powder was field-tested yielding positive results. A black digital scale with narcotic residue was also in the drawer as well as a bag containing empty and miscellaneous amount of empty capsules, the same capsules used to house the fentanyl. There was also several bottles containing cutting agents to be mixed with the narcotics.
“A blue glove was located inside of the drawer. Wrapped inside of a blue latex glove was several rock-like off-white pieces which I immediately identified to be crack cocaine. I field-tested this suspected cocaine ... yielding positive results.
a pink Glock 43x 9 mm semi-automatic handgun
“Underneath the mattress in his bedroom, concealed between the box spring, I located a pink Glock 43x 9 mm semi-automatic handgun. Upon a query of the firearm in [computer] it was revealed [portion blacked out]. On a black nightstand in the bedroom, there was a separate box of ammunition, .45 caliber containing a miscellaneous number of rounds. No .45 caliber firearm was located.
“In Altidor’s closet, a locked container was located which upon opening contained three separate roles of $1,000. This currency was in multiple denominations (100s, 50s, 20s). Scattered across the bedroom was multiple pieces of correspondence belonging to Altidor, such as a prescription medication bottle on his nightstand, traffic citations and pieces of mail addressed to Altidor. All items were photographed in their original locations.
“The total weights of narcotics collected are as follows:
- “Marijuana 408.7 grams
- “Fentanyl 35 grams
- “Cocaine 21.1 grams
- “Total currency collected is $3,565.”
At this point, Evens Altidor was charged with armed trafficking fentanyl, possession of cocaine with intent to sell, possession of marijuana with intent to sell, three counts of delinquent in possession of firearms, carrying a concealed firearm, tampering with evidence, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
He was booked on Nov. 22, at 9:33 p.m. and has been at the Main Detention Center ever since.
Altidor’s most recent arrest before this one in Palm Beach County took place on April 20. A PBSO agent wrote in that report about being assigned to find and arrest somebody else for a home invasion robbery and violation of a no-contact order.
Altidor was in the car with that suspect and was going to be charged with aggravated fleeing or eluding with damage.
He was held in jail for a day-and-a-half and then released in lieu of $10,000 bond, but the state attorney's office did not press charges. Altidor got the money back, a month later.