HAMPTON, IOWA – Law enforcement attempted to stop a speeding, drug-toting Hampton man but he refused to yield, leading police on a high-speed chase that employed an airplane.
At approximately 11:45 PM Friday night, October 21, a Hampton police officer attempted to stop a vehicle after it was seen traveling at a high rate of speed in the area of Olive Avenue and Highway 3. The officer activated his emergency lights and siren and a pursuit of the vehicle was started. The pursuit lasted approximately 20 minutes and covered about 26 miles. The pursuit ended when the car went into a field and entered a ditch in the 200 block of 85th Street. The driver then ran on foot into a standing corn field. Iowa State Patrol was contacted to have a plane assist in the search of the field while ground officers established a perimeter. Shortly after the plane arrived, the driver, Martin Zaragoza of Hampton, was taken into custody in the field by two Hardin county sheriff deputies.
Zaragoza was wanted on two Franklin county warrants for willful injury (class c felony) and criminal mischief 4th degree (serious misdemeanor).
In addition, as a result of the chase, Zaragoza also has been charged with possession with intent to deliver meth (class b felony), drug tax stamp violation (class d felony), felony eluding (class d felony), no insurance accident related, leaving the scene of an accident, driving while suspended, open container, 5 different speeding violatons, and 5 diffrent stop sign violations.
Martin Zaragoza made a court appearance saturday morning and was held on $35,000 cash only bond.
No one was injured during the course of this pursuit. One hampton police car did recieve minor damage as a result to the vehicle pursuit.
Assisting the Hampton police department was the Franklin county sheriff’s department, Hardin county sheriff’s department, Wright county sheriff’s dept., Hamilton county sheriff’s department, Iowa State Patrol troopers, and one Iowa state patrol air wing unit.
