Motorcycle deputy apprehends driver with DUI convictions in Florida and Michigan

A Fruitland Park man with an active warrant was caught driving without a license after swerving outside his lane in front of a deputy.

A deputy observed a black van driving northbound on Lake Unity Road around 1:35 p.m. Wednesday, according to an arrest report from the Lake County Sheriff’s Office. As the van approached the deputy, the driver, later identified as 57-year-old Juan Toledo, left his lane of travel and completely crossed over the double yellow line, causing the truck in front of the deputy to hit its brakes to prevent a crash. 

Due to this infraction, the deputy conducted a U-turn on his motorcycle and activated his emergency lights to initiate a traffic stop near Lake Unity Road and Old Lake Unity Road. He noticed the van had a Michigan license plate once it stopped, which was given to dispatch, the report said. 

The deputy dismounted his motorcycle and approached the driver’s side door where he spoke with Toledo. He explained the reason for the stop and asked for Toledo’s license. Toledo indicated he did not have a license, saying he just moved to the area. After asking several times for a license, the deputy was given a Florida ID card that was also provided to dispatch, the report said. 

The deputy returned to his motorcycle to begin issuing citations while also checking Toledo’s ID number. In doing so, he learned Toledo had an active Marion County warrant for violation of probation for unlawful blood alcohol level and only a valid Florida ID card (not a license). Dispatch came back with the same information a short time later. Additionally, the van was registered to Toledo’s mother in Michigan, the report said. 

Due to Toledo not having a valid license and holding an active warrant, he was asked to get out of the vehicle and secured in handcuffs. A hit confirmation was sent to the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, which was eventually confirmed, the report said. 

Another deputy arrived on scene and stood by with Toledo while the first deputy retrieved his patrol car. Once the deputy returned to the traffic stop, Toledo was put in the back seat and taken to the Lake County Jail, the report said. 

A criminal history check conducted later revealed Toledo had numerous DUI convictions from Michigan and Florida. He had also been charged with no Florida DL (never had one) in Marion County two times prior to this arrest, the report said. 

Toledo was ultimately charged with no driver’s license (never had one) and issued a citation for failure to maintain lane. The native of Puerto Rico had bond set at $2,000.