Suspect Illegally in U.S. from Turkey Arrested After Corvette Pursuit and Hiding Inside Motel Wall

Ege Bilgin / Photo courtesy of Polk County Sheriff’s Office

By Staff Reporter

iSkyNews.com (ISN) – Published February 9th, 2026

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Suspect Illegally in U.S. from Turkey Arrested After Corvette Pursuit and Hiding Inside Motel Wall

DAVENPORT, Fla. — A man investigators say is in the United States illegally from Turkey has been arrested and charged with five felony offenses after fleeing from deputies in a Corvette and attempting to hide inside the drywall of a motel room, according to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.

The suspect has been identified as Ege Bilgin, DOB 09/18/1992. Deputies say Bilgin has a pending removal order from the United States, and an ICE detainer has been placed on him at the Polk County Jail. All charges have been enhanced by one degree due to his illegal status.

Traffic Stop Turns Into Flight

The incident began on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, when a Polk County Sheriff’s deputy observed Bilgin driving erratically and without a valid driver’s license while traveling eastbound on Interstate 4 in northeast Polk County.

When the deputy activated emergency equipment, the white Corvette initially pulled over onto the shoulder. However, as the deputy exited his patrol vehicle, Bilgin suddenly fled at a high rate of speed. The deputy did not pursue.

Shortly afterward, a motorist flagged the deputy down and reported seeing the Corvette exit I-4 and travel northbound on U.S. Highway 27.

Foot Chase and Motel Hiding Spot

While patrolling the area, the deputy located the Corvette entering the parking lot of the Home Suites motel in Davenport. The deputy confirmed the tag matched the vehicle from the earlier stop and observed Bilgin exit the driver’s seat and retrieve a black backpack.

After spotting the deputy, Bilgin fled on foot, running northbound. The deputy broadcast the suspect’s clothing description and direction of travel.

Moments later, another deputy was flagged down by construction workers, who reported seeing a man run into Room 265 at the Stayable Suites motel in Davenport.

Deputies made contact with the occupant of that room, who was contracted to perform plumbing work. The worker told deputies that a man ran into the room, said he was “running from the police,” and barricaded himself inside the bathroom. The worker had cut a large square hole into the bathroom wall as part of the repair work.

Found Inside the Wall

Upon entering the bathroom, deputies determined Bilgin had concealed himself deep inside the drywall, hiding behind insulation. He refused multiple commands to surrender.

Deputies made entry near the area where they could hear movement and used a mirror to locate Bilgin inside the wall. After repeated commands were ignored, deputies deployed a chemical agent, at which point Bilgin surrendered and was taken into custody without further incident.

False Identity and Charges

During the investigation, Bilgin initially provided deputies with his brother’s name and date of birth, stating he fled because he was “nervous.” Deputies later confirmed his true identity and contacted Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), who verified that Bilgin has a pending removal order.

Bilgin has been charged with the following:

Two counts of Resisting Arrest Without Violence (F3)
Burglary of an Occupied Dwelling (F1)
Fleeing to Elude a Law Enforcement Officer (F2)
No Valid Driver’s License (M1)
Giving False Name to Law Enforcement (F3)

Each charge has been enhanced by one degree due to Bilgin’s illegal status in the country.

Sheriff Grady Judd emphasized how the suspect’s actions significantly escalated the situation.

“While it’s true this suspect would have been taken into custody for his expired license had he simply pulled over when stopped, he would have only been charged with the one traffic misdemeanor and his removal order would have been served,” Judd said. “Now he has five felonies to deal with before he’s deported back to Turkey.”

The investigation remains ongoing.

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