WINNEBAGO COUNTY – A Mason City man eluded cops on a stolen UTV after a possible crime spree, but was apprehended and arrested.
On May 26, 2022, a call was received at the Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office from a concerned citizen reporting they observed a male subject matching the description and driving a UTV (utility terrain vehicle) used in a burglary at a rural Thompson, Iowa, residence the day before. Winnebago county deputies responded to the area and encountered this UTV, at which time the driver fled from law enforcement officers for several miles through multiple farm fields and Myre Slough recreation area south of Thompson. When this UTV became stuck the driver fled on foot and was apprehended by law enforcement a short time later.
Property was recovered at the scene from several area burglaries, police said.
The driver was identified as Eric William Jensen of Mason City. Jensen was charged with multiple offenses including driving while barred, third degree burglary, theft, interference with official acts, driving while barred, reckless driving, criminal mischief, operating while intoxicated, eluding, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Jensen also has valid arrest warrants out of Winnebago County and counties in Minnesota for other offenses.
The UTV was also found to be reported as stolen through Kossuth county.
Agencies involved in this matter include Winnebago, Kossuth, and Hancock county sheriff’s offices, Forest City and Garner police departments, Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Winnebago County Emergency Management, Forest City Fire Department, and Faribault County, Minnesota Sheriff’s Office. Further criminal charges are pending on Jensen.
Jensen is being held at the Winnebago County Jail awaiting an initial court appearance.
