A western Iowa police officer has been cleared of wrongdoing after firing shots at a fleeing suspect.
The incident occurred on October 14 when Council Bluffs Officer Ben Lake attempted to arrest a man who was trying to return merchandise that did not belong to him at a farm supply business.
The suspect, 27-year-old Adam Thomas, managed to escape Lake’s squad car and drove off in a pickup that had been reported stolen. Officer Lake reported he was struck by the pickup and he fired shots at the truck, but Thomas got away. He was later captured.
Pottawattamie County Attorney Matthew Wilber has reviewed surveillance video of the incident and says Officer Lake had probable cause to fire his weapon. But, Wilber says Thomas will no longer face charges of attempted murder and assaulting a police officer. Thomas is still facing charges of fraud, fleeing police and possessing stolen items.