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Officers chase driver through 2 counties
By BRADY DENNIS © St. Petersburg Times, published March 28, 2001 ZEPHYRHILLS -- Richard Adam Klouda found himself in familiar territory Tuesday after leading authorities on a chase that spanned nearly 20 miles, 45 minutes and two counties, authorities said. It wasn't his first experience in handcuffs or behind bars. The 35-year-old Zephyrhills man, who has been arrested 10 previous times, began running just after 9:30 a.m. when Zephyrhills police tried to pull over his gray 1986 Isuzu. The officers knew he didn't have a valid driver's license and was wanted on Hillsborough County warrants, a report stated. Pasco County sheriff's deputies joined the pursuit on Handcart Road near Saint Leo just after 9:40 a.m. The pursuit took deputies through Pasco and Hillsborough counties and included U-turns on State Road 54 and Morris Bridge Road. The chase covered 18 to 20 miles at speeds between 30 and 70 mph, said sheriff's office spokesman Jon Powers. Klouda turned east off Morris Bridge Road and onto a dirt road leading to Two Rivers Ranch in Thonotosassa, owned by rancher Robert Thomas. Klouda crashed through the metal gates and got about 2 miles into the ranch before deputies finally caught up to the car. Deputies apprehended him about 10:15 a.m. in a pasture before he had time to run on foot, Powers said. Klouda, whose address was unknown, was charged with two counts of fleeing to elude and one count of aggravated fleeing to elude. He also faces two counts of running a stop sign, two counts of running a red light, driving with a suspended or revoked license, leaving the scene of property damage, unlawful use of license and reckless driving. Zephyrhills police also charged Klouda with aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer after he tried to run down an officer who was standing in the intersection of Otis Allen Road and 23rd Street, a report stated. He tried several times to ram patrol cars with his Isuzu, reports stated. Klouda also was charged with two outstanding Hillsborough County warrants for failure to appear in court on charges of possessing marijuana and drug paraphernalia. Florida Department of Law Enforcement records show Klouda has been arrested 10 other times since 1986. His charges range from burglary and forgery to multiple marijuana possession charges. Klouda was taken to Land O'Lakes jail, where he remained Tuesday night in lieu of $107,500 bail.
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