Man arrested after multiple traffic stops in one morning   

A 61-year-old Tampa man was arrested Friday morning after he was stopped by Deputies multiple times over the course of two hours for traffic offenses on U.S. 1.

Gregory John Koch was charged with reckless driving, possession of pills without a prescription and resisting arrest. He was previously cited for speeding and illegal passing prior to his arrest.

The series of traffic stops began at 8:21 a.m. when Deputy Jacques Rozek stopped Koch in a blue BMW sport utility vehicle near Rowell’s Marina and gave him a verbal warning for speeding after multiple motorists reported his erratic southbound driving on the 18 Mile Stretch and Key Largo. Koch told Deputy Rozek he was driving to Key West and was in a hurry. Koch stated the BMW was new and he was still learning the intricacies of the vehicle.

Before Deputy Rozek could state over his radio that he had given Koch a warning, Sgt. Syd Whitehouse announced on the radio he was pulling over the same BMW. Sgt. Whitehouse cited Koch for speeding (traveling 70 mph) and illegal passing near the Adam’s Cut. Koch apologized and stated he wouldn’t drive that way anymore.

Shortly thereafter, several motorists began reporting the blue BMW driving erratically.

At approximately, 10 a.m. Sgt. Mark Jones and Deputy Douthirt stopped Koch for illegal window tint, but did not witness any illegal driving. They told Koch that he would be going to jail if a Deputy saw him driving recklessly.

That Deputy turned out to be Deputy Anthony Wales who spotted the BMW in Marathon traveling 63 mph in a 35 mph zone. The BMW braked suddenly when Koch saw Deputy Wales.

Koch then refused to lower his window and turned the music up loudly inside the BMW. He began dancing in his seat to the music, which he turned up very loudly.

Lt. Derek Paul and Deputies Shaun Lones and Andrew Leird responded. Koch turned a dash camera to face the Deputies and began recording with his cell phone. Koch pulled out a business card with the word “Law” on it and displayed it to Deputies. He then appeared to be making a phone call. Koch appeared to end the call after Deputy Lones stated he intended to break the BMW passenger window in order to detain Koch. Koch rolled down the window and exited at that time.

Koch was taken to jail without further incident.

Three pill bottles containing pills with no prescription were found in the BMW.

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