Wyoming man subject of Iowa manhunt

A manhunt is underway this morning in northern Iowa after a Wyoming man sped away from a routine traffic stop last night. A Wyoming man led northern Iowa authorities on a 20-mile-long high-speed chase last night before ditching his car in a wooded area of Mason City. Franklin County Sheriff Larry Richtsmeier says a deputy stopped 22-year-old Garth Steven Hansen of Casper, Wyoming, about 7 o’clock last night near the town of Chapin. Richtsmeier says the deputy talked to the driver, went back to his car to do the paperwork, and when a back-up car pulled up, Hansen took off. Richtsmeier says Hansen led authorities on a chase that eventually ended up going through downtown Mason City. Richtsmeier says Hansen went into the ditch several times to drive around stop sticks and eventually made it all the way to Mason City. Hansen’s car was found abandoned in a wooded area. Authorities were not able to find Hansen in the woods after searching for several hours. Richtsmeier says they have put together plans to continue their search. Richtsmeier says they have located some relatives and are keeping a close eye if Hansen tries to go and visit one of them. Richtsmeier says if you see someone looking like Hansen, contact local law enforcement instead of trying to apprehend the suspect.Hansen is described as 6-foot-1, 158 pounds, with blond hair and blue eyes. If you see Hansen, contact your local law enforcement agency or call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-383-0088.