DAVENPORT – An Iowa man threatened the life of a garbage truck driver, then actually stole the truck and led police on a dangerous chase that hurt a police chief before he was caught and arrested.
The frightening ordeal took place Monday, September 25th, 2017, when the Davenport Police Department initiated a vehicle pursuit of a garage truck being operated by 20-year-old Logan Shoemaker of Davenport. During the pursuit, Shoemaker was involved in a traffic accident with a garbage truck. He threatened the life of the driver of the garbage truck and ultimately took possession of it, police say. Shoemaker continued to lead officers on a pursuit in the garbage truck through Blue Grass, Iowa, then south on 70th Avenue toward Buffalo, Iowa. On 40th Ave. (County Rd. Y40) Chief Terry Behning of the Buffalo Police Department was attempting to utilize stop sticks against the garbage truck. Shoemaker veered the truck toward Chief Behning’s squad car and struck it, head on. Chief Behning was positioned behind the squad at this time and was struck by the squad car.
Shoemaker was apprehended moments later.
Chief Behning was air lifted to the hospital by MedForce. At this time there is no detailed update on his condition.
In addition to the multiple charges from Davenport Police Department, The Scott County Sheriff’s Office charged Shoemaker with first-degree robbery and in reference to the incident with Chief Behning, Shoemaker was charged with attempted murder.
The Iowa State Patrol is handling the traffic accident portion of the investigation, the Davenport Police Department and the Scott County Sheriff’s Office is handling the criminal investigation.
Agencies involved include the Iowa State Patrol, Scott County Sheriff’s Office, Davenport Police Department, Scott County Conservation Officers, Muscatine County Sheriff’s Office, Blue Grass Police Department, Canadian Pacific Railroad Police Department, Buffalo Police Department, Buffalo Fire Department, Davenport Fire Department, Medic Emergency Services, MedForce, and Scott County VIPS units.
