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News and Investigations
News & Investigations
News Releases and Public Information
Welcome to the Polk County Sheriff's Office News Room, where the Public Information Officers (PIO's) post all of the information that they release to the news media. PIO's act as liaisons between news media organizations and the Sheriff's Office. The PIO's routinely release timely and accurate information and Crime Stoppers bulletins, and respond to routine and "breaking news" media inquiries. News releases and Crime Stoppers information can be found on this page.
PCSO's full-time Public Information Officers are Carrie Horstman, Brian Bruchey, and Julianna Rivera. The Public Information Officers can be reached by sending an e-mail collectively at PIOs@polksheriff.org.
The recent news releases sent out by the PIOs can be found here, and archived releases (older than 2017) can be found here.
Nov 14, 2025
New Port Richey speeder arrested after trying to flee; gets five felonies and five misdemeanors
Media Contact: Brian Bruchey
At around 4pm Thursday, November 13th, a 2018 Lexus SUV was speeding on I-4 near Lakeland.
A PCSO deputy determined that the Lexus was traveling 89 mph in a 70 mph zone, so a traffic stop was initiated.
The driver appeared to be very nervous, and when he pulled his wallet out to get his ID, several small baggies of marijuana fell from his pocket.
When the deputy mentioned what he saw, the driver put the car into gear and sped away.
The deputy made the decision not to pursue the Lexus due to the heavy traffic, the location was in a construction zone, and the driver's reckless nature. Also, the deputy had already identified the driver as 28-year old Jonas Christopher Kaiser of New Port Richey.
The deputy radioed the information, and shortly thereafter, multiple units located the Lexus and boxed it in.
Kaiser immediately surrendered without incident.
He was found to be in possession of a 9mm handgun, 70 small baggies, a small scale, marijuana, and PCP. He also had an outstanding felony warrant out of Hillsborough County for Failure to Appear for DWLSR.
Jonas Kaiser was taken to the Sheriff's Processing Center and charged with: 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, Felony DWLSR Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Failure to Maintain Insurance, and Reckless Driving.