POLK COUNTY, Fla. – A routine traffic stop for speeding on Interstate 4 near Lakeland yesterday afternoon rapidly escalated, resulting in the arrest of a New Port Richey man who was found to be in possession of drugs, a handgun, and was wanted on an outstanding felony warrant.
At approximately 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, a Polk County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) deputy spotted a 2018 Lexus SUV traveling at a high rate of speed on I-4. The deputy clocked the vehicle traveling 89 mph in a posted 70 mph zone and initiated a traffic stop.
According to the PCSO, the driver, identified as 28-year-old Jonas Christopher Kaiser of New Port Richey, appeared visibly nervous. The situation intensified when Mr. Kaiser reached for his wallet to retrieve his identification, and several small baggies of marijuana fell from his pocket.
When the deputy referenced the visible narcotics, Kaiser allegedly put the vehicle into gear and sped away from the stop.
Due to heavy traffic, the stop being in a construction zone, and the driver’s demonstrated reckless behavior, the deputy decided not to pursue the vehicle and had already identified the driver as Jonas Kaiser.
The deputy immediately broadcast the information to surrounding units. It was only a short time later that multiple PCSO units successfully located the Lexus and executed a coordinated box-in maneuver, bringing the vehicle to a stop. Kaiser surrendered immediately without incident.
Upon his arrest, deputies discovered Kaiser was in possession of a 9mm handgun, marijuana, PCP (Phencyclidine), 70 small plastic baggies, and a small scale. Furthermore, a records check confirmed that Kaiser had an outstanding felony warrant out of Hillsborough County for Failure to Appear for Driving While License Suspended or Revoked (DWLSR).
Jonas Kaiser was transported to the Sheriff’s Processing Center and faces a comprehensive list of charges, including:
- Use of a Firearm During a Felony
- Possession of Marijuana with Intent to Sell
- Possession of PCP
- Fleeing to Elude
- Possession of Marijuana
- Keeping a Vehicle for Drugs
- Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
- Failure to Maintain Insurance
- Reckless Driving
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