The moped driver and his passenger will be charged, deputies said.

HERNANDO COUNTY – A moped driver and his passenger are facing criminal charges after a traffic stop, according to the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office.

Riley Singleton, 57, was charged with was charged with grand theft (moped), possession of methamphetamine, possession of paraphernalia, resisting with violence and driving with a suspended or revoked license. He was also issued a citation for operating a vehicle with no tag, deputies said.

Deputies said a warrant will be issued for Amber Fowler, 26, on charges of possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of marijuana. Fowler also has an active warrant out of Pasco County, they said.

Singleton and Fowler were spotted about 9:25 p.m. Tuesday (Feb. 21) by K-9 Deputy Jason Jernigan who was conducting traffic enforcement in the area of Puckett Street and McKethan Road in Ridge Manor. Jernigan said he saw a Kymco moped traveling south on McKethan Road with no license plate. He stopped the moped.

When Jernigan approached the moped he saw Singleton, who was the driver, toss an unknown object from his right pocket. Singleton then tried to run away but Jernigan caught him within about 20 feet. While Jernigan dealt with Singleton, the female passenger – Fowler – also ran away, taking a blue and white backpack with her.

Jernigan and an eyewitness said they saw Fowler hide the backpack at the base of a tree as she was running from the area. Once back-up units arrived, Jernigan and his canine partner, Dzel, tried to track down Fowler but were unable to find her. When they searched Fowler’s backpack, deputies said they found methamphetamine, paraphernalia, and marijuana.

Deputies said they discovered that the moped had been stolen from Pinellas County and that Singleton had numerous suspensions on his driver’s license. The item Singleton threw from his pocket was a sock, which contained a meth pipe with a large amount of residue, deputies said.

For information about the Hernando sheriff, to to hernandosheriff.org.

Hernando Sheriff | Arrests | Crime | Stolen Moped | Hernando Arrests | TB Reporter

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