What we know about Alexander Lopez, the suspect connected to an Orange County Amber Alert

ORLANDO, Fla. — Orange County deputies said they arrested the man wanted in connection with an Amber Alert for a missing 16-year-old girl.

Deputies said Alexander Lopez, 44, has a long, violent criminal history and is not cooperating with investigators.

Watch: ‘We need to make sure that she’s OK’: Teen girl still missing, possible abductor in custody, Orange County deputies say

Deputies said Lopez was seen Friday morning by a clerk at the Sunoco station on South Goldenrod Road who said he and a teenage girl walked into the store.

According to the clerk, the man, believed to be Lopez, told him he had been partying with the girl and just learned she was underage.

Then the girl said she wanted to speak to the clerk alone, but the man wouldn't let her.

Deputies said they eventually left the store. The clerk saw what looked like a struggle in the car, so he called 911.

Friday afternoon, a silver SUV the man was in was spotted in Osceola County. Deputies followed it into Orange County, where it ended up in a pond.

That's when Lopez was taken into custody and charged with grand theft auto.

Orange County court records show Lopez was released from jail last month on charges of attempted burglary and resisting officer without violence.

Deputies are still searching for the missing girl.

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Deputies said anyone who knows anything about Lopez or the missing girl seen in the Amber Alert to call 911 or 1-888-356-4774.

Cox Media Group