PINELLAS Co., Fla. — A multi-agency crackdown on speeding and reckless motorcyclists on U.S. Highway 19 resulted in multiple arrests and seized motorcycles.
More than 30 officers joined the crackdown on the known speeding hotspot. The agencies involved include Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office, Clearwater Police Department, Tarpon Springs Police and the Florida Highway Patrol.
FHP used a fixed-wing plane and PCSO provided two helicopters as aerial support. Four motorcycles were seized.
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In one of the cases, 26-year-old Ryan Jones was arrested and charged with felony fleeing and attempt to elude. A Tarpon Springs PD officer clocked Jones going 85 mph on U.S. 19, a 55 mph zone. According to arrest reports, a deputy then visually estimated Jones to be traveling 100 mph. The deputy saw Jones enter the northbound lanes of U.S. 19 in the wrong direction causing multiple cars to abruptly slow down to avoid a crash.
An FHP trooper activated his lights and emergency equipment, but according to arrest records, Jones accelerated away. Air units helped track Jones as he turned onto Lake Cypress Drive. There Jones was arrested and told authorities he “gave up because he could hear the air unit overhead.”
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The following are the results from the initiative (the results reflect motorcycle violations and automobile violations:
Criminal Charges:
DUI - **automobile
4 Drug Violations
2 DWLSR
3 Fleeing and Eluding - **motorcycles
1 Reckless Driving - **motorcycle
1 Carrying a Concealed Firearm
1 No Motorcycle Endorsement
1 Criminal Mischief - **motorcycle
1 Resist an Officer without Violence - **motorcycle
1 D/L Restrictions - **motorcycle
16 Total Criminal Charges
Citations:
3 DWLSR
42 Speeding
4 Careless Driving
1 Reckless Driving -**motorcycle
2 D/L Restriction - **motorcycles
1 Motorcycle Endorsement
5 Other Moving Violation
9 Other Non-Moving Violations
67 Total Citations
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