MONROE COUNTY, Fla. – A routine traffic stop for a missing taillight turned into a high-speed chase and drug bust in the Florida Keys on Monday night. Two Key West residents, Jermaine Lamar Roberts, 45, and Crystal Anne Hernandez, 42, were arrested after fleeing from Monroe County Sheriff’s deputies in a stolen vehicle.
The incident began around 11:26 p.m. when deputies observed a Kia Telluride with no taillights near Mile Marker 7 on U.S. 1. Upon discovering the vehicle was reported stolen, deputies initiated a traffic stop.
However, the vehicle sped off, leading deputies on a chase that ended on Park Drive after the suspects turned off U.S. 1 at Rockland Drive. Hernandez reportedly admitted that she and Roberts had smoked crack cocaine prior to the incident.
A search of the vehicle yielded a significant amount of drugs and paraphernalia, including:
- 2.3 grams of fentanyl
- 0.34 grams of cocaine/fentanyl mixture
- 3 grams of methamphetamine
- 1.8 grams of cocaine
- 1.84 grams of marijuana
- Numerous pipes and other drug paraphernalia
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Roberts was charged with fleeing and eluding, using a license plate not assigned to the vehicle, possession of medication without a prescription, tampering with evidence, possession of a controlled substance with intent to sell, and possession of marijuana.
Hernandez was charged with possession of medication without a prescription, tampering with evidence, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission assisted in the case.
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