WESTGATE — A Northern Iowa man wanted for allegedly escaping from custody was captured Tuesday, August 12, 2026, after authorities say he nearly struck a sheriff’s deputy with a vehicle, drove through a bean field and then fled on foot, prompting a multi-agency search involving aircraft and drones.
The Fayette County Sheriff’s Office said deputies received a tip at approximately 3 p.m. about the whereabouts of Jacob William Jeanes, 37, of Westgate.
Jeanes (pictured at top) had been placed on escape status from the West Union Residential Facility on August 11 and was believed to be in the Westgate area, according to the sheriff’s office.
When deputies arrived, authorities say Jeanes got into a vehicle. As a deputy attempted to take him into custody, Jeanes allegedly put the vehicle in reverse and drove toward the deputy.
The deputy was forced to jump out of the way to avoid being struck, authorities said.
Jeanes then allegedly drove the vehicle through a bean field before abandoning the truck inside a shed a short distance down the road.
That touched off an hours-long search.
Authorities brought in the Iowa State Patrol’s air unit while drones were also deployed in an effort to locate Jeanes. He was eventually found and taken into custody.
No injuries were reported during the incident.
Jeanes was already wanted in Fayette County on an escape from custody charge, a Class D felony, with bond set at $5,000. He was also wanted for an alleged probation violation carrying a no-bond hold.
Following Tuesday’s confrontation, Jeanes was additionally charged with assault on a police officer with a weapon, which the sheriff’s office identified as a Class C felony.
The Fayette County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the Iowa State Patrol and the Oelwein Police Department, which provided drone assistance.
Jeanes is presumed innocent of the new charge unless and until proven guilty in court.