WINTER HAVEN, Fla. – A 31-year-old Winter Haven man, John Caleb Zelinko, was arrested Wednesday night after leading a Polk County Sheriff’s Office deputy on a brief but reckless moped chase that ended with a crash and the deployment of a Taser.
The incident began around 11:00 PM, when a PCSO deputy observed Zelinko operating a moped without proper equipment. According to the Sheriff’s Office, Zelinko then drove the moped through an intersection, disregarding a stop sign.
When the deputy attempted to initiate a traffic stop, Zelinko allegedly looked back at the deputy and accelerated, attempting to flee. Authorities report that Zelinko made quick turns and ran another stop sign in an effort to evade capture, pushing the moped to its top speed of approximately 35 mph. His attempt to make a sharp turn proved too much for the moped, causing him to hit a grass shoulder and lose control, resulting in a crash.
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Despite the crash, Zelinko continued to flee on foot. At one point, he reportedly stopped, raised his hands, and stated, “Alright, I’m done!” However, he then turned and resumed running. The pursuing deputy deployed his Taser, bringing Zelinko’s flight to an end.
Following his apprehension, Zelinko allegedly told the deputy, “I’m sorry, I was scared…I have a suspended license.” Deputies confirmed that Zelinko’s driver’s license had been revoked in 2016.
John Caleb Zelinko was arrested and transported to the Polk County Jail. He faces multiple charges, including: fleeing to elude, operating a motorcycle without an endorsement, driving while license suspended/revoked, resisting arrest without violence, and attaching an unassigned license plate. Additionally, Zelinko was cited for running two stop signs.
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