The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office arrested a Big Coppitt Key man for DUI and other offenses after he fled a deputy during a traffic stop and then chugged a beer in front of him.
According to the police report, around 5:45 p.m., a deputy on patrol spotted Daryl Royal Riedel, 48, driving a pickup on U.S. 1 near Mile Marker 7. Knowing Riedel from previous encounters, and also knowing that Riedel’s driver’s license was suspended, the deputy attempted to make a traffic stop.
Riedel initially pulled over, but as the deputy exited his patrol car, Riedel sped off. Despite the deputy using his lights, siren and even his PA system in an attempt to get Riedel to stop, he kept going. At one point he even waved his hand out of his window while being ordered to stop over the PA, “as if to disregard my order,” the deputy reported.
Riedel turned onto Geiger Road and then Cormorant Lane, where he finally stopped. Riedel exited the truck while holding a can of beer, and then proceeded to chug the beer in the deputy’s presence. He then said he fled because he was scared.
The deputy transported Riedel to the Monroe County Detention Center without incident.
Riedel was charged with fleeing and eluding, DUI as a fourth or subsequent offense, driving with a suspended license as a third or subsequent offense, reckless driving and failure to submit a breath test with a suspended license.
Information in the Crime Report is obtained from reports provided by area law enforcement agencies.
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