Multi-county high speed chase along gravel roads, cornfield ends with OWI, drug charges
EDITOR’S NOTE: This article originally appeared in the Sept. 1 edition of the Jefferson Herald.
A high-speed chase topping 90 mph navigating gravel roads in both Greene and Boone County as well as a cornfield required help from air patrol and the K9 unit Saturday, ending with charges of OWI and possession of marijuana.
Ian Patterson, 42 of Des Moines, eluded law enforcement in a gray 2001 Jeep Cherokee Sport, reaching dangerous speeds on a number of rural gravel roads around 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 27.
Patterson was initially operating the vehicle along Highway 144 just a shade south of 280th street near Rippey with a barred license. He refused to pull over when an Iowa State Patrol officer noticed the driver not wearing a seatbelt. Patterson turned onto 280th Street once the deputy flipped around to follow the vehicle. He began accelerating in his Jeep, which caused the trooper to activate his emergency lights and begin pursuit. Patterson did not head to the officer, instead eluding the vehicle and traveling along multiple gravel roads, gaining speed as he went. He criss-crossed his way across the dirt roads attempting to lose the officer, traveling along 285th Street, 290th Street and 295th Street. Patterson then turned north onto U Avenue, entering Boone County.
He drove into an open field, performed a U-turn and went back onto the road. Patterson eventually maneuvered his way down a private driveway on 305th Street, which ended in a corn field. Patterson proceeded to plow through the farmland, knocking down several corn stalks in the process
The officer in pursuit decided to leave the field to set up a perimeter, hopefully surrounding all possible exits with the help of other officers. He also enlisted air support to canvass the cornfield from above. The aircraft was successful, spotting a vehicle similar to Patterson’s parked at 2226 Deer Avenue in Boone County.
The officer decided to approach the residence in question, and concluded the truck was indeed the same as the one he was seeking, spotting several corn stalks stuck underneath the vehicle. Air support also located an unidentified female walking west along Deer Avenue. Law enforcement detained the woman, who identified herself as Carrie Dolezal, admitting she was riding in the passenger seat of the Jeep alongside Patterson.
Meanwhile, police reports say Patterson had departed the corn field and fled into a neighboring forest of trees. His disappearance forced the Iowa State Patrol to deploy the use of its K9 to help track, verbally announcing they had sent out the police dog in an effort to frighten Patterson. He eventually emerged from the woods and gave himself up.
Patterson was arrested for felony eluding - OWI, possession of a controlled substance - third or subsequent offense after the K9 located the scent of possible drugs in the vehicle in addition to a charge of driving while barred.
TROUBLE WITH THE LAW
Patterson has been in the cross hairs of law enforcement several other times in the past year. He was arrested in July for allegedly stealing more than $400 worth of merchandise during two different visits from the JC Penney in Valley West Mall in Des Moines.
Patterson also allegedly stole more than $300 of items from the Mills Fleet Farm on July 1 in Ankeny. In May, Patterson was arrested for driving while revoked for refusing to take an OWI test in addition to driving without a required interlock.
Additionally, he was arrested for domestic assault Jan. 31 at Wild Rose Casino in Jefferson for allegedly shoving his fiancé and knocking her onto the ground of the casino. Patterson was found guilty and ordered to pay a $105 fine.