Largo police: Inebriated driver had monkey onboard

LARGO — A man Largo police accused of speeding down East Bay Drive while intoxicated early Thursday morning had an unusual partner in crime: a monkey riding shotgun.

Largo resident Eugene Kotelman, 36, passed a police cruiser in his Ford truck driving at about 70 mph shortly after midnight, police said. He was arrested on a felony DUI charge and was being held at the Pinellas County jail Thursday in lieu of $5,000 bail.

Also in the truck with Kotelman was a "small monkey," according to police. The truck was seized and the monkey placed in the custody of one of Kotelman's friends, police said.

Largo police Lt. Mike Loux said Kotelman has a "lengthy criminal history," including multiple arrests for DUI and driving with a suspended license.

Peter Jamison can be reached at pjamison@tampabay.com or (727) 445-4157.