WAUCOMA — A wanted Northern Iowa man allegedly led law enforcement on a high-speed chase, abandoned his vehicle and ran into the woods before officers pulled out all the stops and finally flushed him from a cornfield.
The incident began at approximately 6:38 p.m. Sunday, June 21, 2026, when a Fayette County deputy attempted to stop 39-year-old Nicholas Olliney of Waucoma.
According to the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office, the deputy recognized Olliney and knew he was allegedly driving while his license was revoked. Olliney was also wanted on an active Bremer County arrest warrant for fifth-degree theft.
Authorities said Olliney refused to stop and instead led officers on a brief high-speed pursuit through Waucoma before fleeing into rural Chickasaw County.
The chase then moved off the roadway.
Olliney (pictured at top) allegedly stopped the vehicle, jumped out and fled on foot into a wooded area. Law enforcement launched an extensive manhunt involving a drone and multiple K-9 units.
Authorities later located Olliney hiding in a cornfield. He surrendered without further incident and was taken into custody.
Olliney was transported to the Fayette County Jail and charged with eluding while traveling at least 25 mph over the speed limit as a second or subsequent offense, a Class C felony.
He was also charged with driving while license revoked, a serious misdemeanor; failure to file SR-22 insurance; and reckless driving. Authorities said he received several additional traffic citations.
The Fayette County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the Chickasaw County Sheriff’s Office, Chickasaw County Rescue Squad, Chickasaw County EMS, Howard County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Unit, Floyd County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Unit, West Union Police Department, Iowa State Patrol and Tieskoetter Collision.
The case remains under investigation.
Olliney is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.