MASON CITY – A child driver eluded cops for miles after they allegedly stole a Ford Taurus in Mason City and reached 105 miles per hour in a desperate attempt to avoid arrest.
The Cerro Gordo county sheriff’s office say that on December 16, 2023, at about 9:30 PM, the Mason City Police Department took a stolen vehicle report on 2003 Ford Taurus that was stolen from a residence. The vehicle description and a license plate number was broadcasted to surrounding agencies. At 9:57 PM, a Cerro Gordo county deputy located the stolen vehicle near Highway 122 and North 40th Street in Clear Lake. With the assistance from the Clear Lake Police Department, a traffic stop was attempted. The vehicle refused to stop, and a vehicle pursuit was initiated. The vehicle drove west through Clear Lake on Highway 18 at 90 MPH. The vehicle continued west on Highway 18 reaching speeds of 105 MPH going through Ventura and Garner.
The vehicle stopped at Highway 18 and Palm Avenue in Hancock County where the driver was arrested without incident. The driver was a juvenile that was not known to the owner of the vehicle and their name will not be released at this time.
The stolen vehicle was returned to the owner without damage.
The juvenile was charged with theft 2nd degree a class D felony, eluding a class D felony, no valid driver’s license, minor in possession of alcohol, and fail to obey a traffic control device. The juvenile was referred to Juvenile Court Services for the criminal charges.
The Cerro Gordo County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the Clear Lake Police Department, Iowa State Patrol CMV Unit, Garner Police Department, Hancock County Sheriffs Office and Winnebago County Sheriffs Office.