MASON CITY – A Rock Falls man refused to go quietly after a deputy pulled him over and found illegal substances in his vehicle.
On December 10, 2016 at 1:12 AM, a Cerro Gordo County Deputy conducted a traffic stop on Highway 122 near the intersection of South Iowa Avenue for speeding. The driver of the 2006 gold Saturn Ion was identified as Joseph Porcelli, age 28 of Rock Falls. The traffic stop turned into a drug investigation and drugs were located inside the vehicle during a search of the vehicle. The Deputy then attempted to arrest Porcelli for drug charges when Porcelli began to fight with the Deputy at the scene of the traffic stop. Porcelli was able to get back to his vehicle and drive off from the traffic stop. The Deputy then pursued Porcelli leading deputies in a vehicle pursuit reaching speeds of 90 mph. The pursuit went eastbound on Highway 122 to Vine Avenue, north on Vine Avenue into Rock Falls, then turning north on to Nottingham Street. Porcelli stopped his vehicle on Nottingham and took off on foot. Porcelli was apprehened a short distance away after another fight with law enforcement.
During the involvement with Porcelli, a deputy received minor injuries. No vehicles were damaged during the pursuit and all of the illegal drugs were seized by law enforcement.
Porcelli was charged with Eluding a law enforcement vehicle, a D Felony; 3rd offense possession of controlled substance; an aggrevated misdemeanor; assault on a peace officer causing bodily injury, an aggrevated misdemeanor; and interference with official acts causing bodily injury, a serious misdemeanor.
The Cerro Gordo County Sheriffs Office was assited by the Mason City Police Department.
