A man who Des Moines police spotted stealing copper from a scrap metal yard late last night (Tuesday) was shot and wounded after allegedly trying to run down an officer. Police Sergeant Todd Dykstra says Officers Cordell Miller and Chad McFarling tried to stop the suspect from driving away from the scene. He’s identified as 55-year-old John Janowiak of Cedar Rapids. Dykstra says Officers McFarling and Miller approached Janowiak, who was seated inside his pickup with the headlights off. Miller stood in front of the truck, shouting commands to stop. Janowiak refused, turned on his headlights and accelerated aggressively, attempting to run over Miller.
Dykstra says Miller feared for his life and discharged his firearm and so did McFarling. Miller was able to jump out of the way and wasn’t hit by the truck and Janowiak sped away. Another officer stopped Janowiak after a brief chase. He was taken to a Des Moines hospital for a gunshot wound in the arm. Janowiak is in stable condition. He’s wanted on a warrant in Linn County for failure to appear and faces new charges in Des Moines including: burglary and attempted murder.