A speeding stop on Interstate 4 near Lakeland escalated quickly Thursday afternoon, ending with the arrest of a New Port Richey man carrying drugs, a handgun, and an active felony warrant.
Around 4 p.m., a Polk County Sheriff’s Office deputy clocked a 2018 Lexus SUV at 89 mph in a 70 mph zone and initiated a traffic stop. The driver, identified as 28-year-old Jonas Christopher Kaiser, appeared visibly nervous, deputies said.
As Kaiser reached for his wallet, several small baggies of marijuana fell out of his pocket, prompting the deputy to question him about the visible drugs. Kaiser allegedly put the vehicle in gear and sped away.
Because the stop occurred in a construction zone with heavy traffic—and due to the driver’s reckless behavior—the deputy chose not to pursue. Kaiser had already been identified, and the deputy relayed the information to other units.
A short time later, multiple PCSO deputies located the Lexus and performed a box-in maneuver, stopping the vehicle. Kaiser surrendered without incident.
During the arrest, deputies found a 9mm handgun, marijuana, PCP, 70 small baggies, and a scale. A records check also revealed Kaiser had an active felony warrant out of Hillsborough County for Failure to Appear on a Driving While License Suspended or Revoked charge.
Kaiser was transported to the Sheriff’s Processing Center and now faces numerous charges, including:
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Use of a Firearm During a Felony
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Possession of Marijuana with Intent to Sell
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Possession of PCP
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Fleeing to Elude
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Possession of Marijuana
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Keeping a Vehicle for Drugs
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Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
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Failure to Maintain Insurance
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Reckless Driving
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