Drugs, speeding cars, undercover cops. Those are just some of the elements involved in a high speed chase on the streets of Des Moines that led to the arrest of two men and the injury of a Des Moines cop early this afternoon.
Des Moines Police Sergeant Todd Dykstra says it all started at about one o’clock when uniformed officers — tipped off by an undercover cop — were making a traffic stop. "As the officers were approaching a maroon Honda occupied by two individuals, the driver immediately took off and struck an unmarked vehicle that was occupied by an undercover narcotics officer," Dykstra says. "A vehicle pursuit ensued, leading officers to the northeast side of Des Moines and then into Polk County. The pursuit returned back into the city."
The cop who got hurt was trying to use his squad car to stop the speeding vehicle, but his car wound up slamming into a utility pole. "The vehicle once again fled and headed directly toward an officer who was standing alongside the street," Dykstra says. "The officer did discharge her firearm at the vehicle, however (the shots) did not strike either of the occupants."
A short while later cops were able to perform a street maneuver which stopped the speeding car. "The passenger remained in the vehicle, however the driver did flee on foot," Dykstra says. "Soon after a plainclothes officer was able to aprehend the fleeing driver and took both of those individuals into custody." Both men are from Des Moines.
The 29-year-old driver, who is wanted in Missouri for failing to pay child support, faces a number of traffic-related charges, including assault with a motor vehicle.
Witnesses say things were being thrown out of the speeding car during the pursuit and Dykstra says drug charges are pending. "At the police station, the driver of the vehicle indicated to officers that he had ingested a large amount of narcotics," Dykstra says. "That individual was taken to a local hospital for immediate treatment."
The 22-year-old passenger has only been charged with interference with official acts, but he could face drug charges, too.