The suspect in a police chase is in custody after a pursuit in Pella Monday.
It started just before noon, when officers attempted to pull over the driver of a car reported as stolen by the Wapello County Sheriff’s Office. Police say 40-year-old Wayne Ellsworth of Leighton took off, and then veered through the eastern portion of Pella along East 13th and Vermeer Road. Speeds topped 100 miles per hour as they crossed over into Mahaska County. The pursuit ended after the suspect crashed at the intersection of Bayard and 145th Street in northern Mahaska County, but the suspect then fled on foot. Police were able to track the suspect down, and found him in a barn near the location of the crash.
Charges:
Theft in the second degree – Class D Felony
Eluding – Class D Felony
Reckless Driving – Simple Misdemeanor
Speed Simple – Misdemeanor
Driving while license suspended – Simple Misdemeanor
Stop sign violations (five counts) – Simple Misdemeanor
Fail to obey traffic control device – Simple Misdemeanor
Passing in a no passing zone – Simple Misdemeanor
Fail to obey yield sign (two counts) – Simple Misdemeanor
A Class D Felony carries a period of confinement of up to 5 years and a fine of between $750 and $7,500 for each conviction.
A Simple Misdemeanor carries a period of confinement of up to 30 days and a fine between $50 and $500 for each conviction.
Pella Ambulance responded to the scene and the Marion County Sheriff’s Office and Mahaska County Sheriff’s Office assisted in the investigation.