A Leesburg man with a suspended license was arrested with marijuana after being stopped for a broken tag light.
Police observed a black Buick SUV with one inoperable tag light traveling north on U.S. Highway 27/441 around 11:49 p.m. Nov. 10, according to an arrest report from the Fruitland Park Police Department.
The officer initiated a traffic stop and spoke to the driver, 37-year-old Andrew Samuel Gries. He asked if the officer wanted him to exit the vehicle before the officer said anything about it. Instead, the officer asked for his license, which Gries advised he did not have and that it was not valid, the report said.
A search of Gries’ driving history confirmed that his license was revoked in October 2011. His profile also indicated that he was convicted of knowingly driving with a suspended license in January of this year, the report said.
Based on the results of his investigation, the officer arrested Gries and conducted a search of his person. In his right pocket was a small, unmarked plastic baggie containing 4.5 grams of a green leafy substance suspected to be marijuana. This would later test positive for the presence of THC. Gries explained that he had a medical marijuana card but admitted it was expired, the report said.
The officer then transported Gries to the Lake County Jail. The officer opened the door to his patrol car to escort him inside when he saw Gries laying across the rear seat, shaking as if he was having a seizure. The officer called medical personnel to the jail, who arrived and evaluated Gries. His vital signs were normal, and he did not want to go to the hospital. He was cleared by jail medical staff and turned over to their custody, the report said.
The Michigan native was ultimately charged with driving while license suspended/revoked (DUI) and possession of marijuana (less than 20 grams). He was released from jail after posting $11,000 bond.
