WEST BEND — A 59-year-old Northern Iowa man faces felony and misdemeanor charges after authorities say he led officers on a three-county chase at speeds reaching 125 mph, rammed a patrol vehicle and allegedly assaulted a peace officer with a deadly weapon.
Randal Dennis Shimon, 59, of Rolfe, was arrested Wednesday, October 7, 2026, following a pursuit that began in Palo Alto County and ended in Humboldt County.
According to the Palo Alto County Sheriff’s Office, deputies were dispatched at approximately 2:39 p.m. to Highway 15 in West Bend after receiving a report of a reckless driver. A deputy later attempted to stop the vehicle near First Avenue NW and Fourth Street NW in West Bend.
The driver allegedly refused to stop, sparking a pursuit through Palo Alto, Pocahontas and Humboldt counties.
Suspect allegedly hits 125 mph, rams patrol vehicle
Authorities say the fleeing driver reached 125 mph in a posted 60-mph zone. The pursuit ended in Humboldt County when the suspect allegedly rammed a Kossuth County patrol vehicle.
Shimon (pictured at top) was taken into custody. The sheriff’s release did not specify whether any officers were injured or detail the damage to the patrol vehicle.
Felony charges pile up after pursuit
The Palo Alto County Sheriff’s Office said Shimon was arrested on the following charges:
- Eluding — speeding more than 25 mph over the limit, Class D felony.
- Reckless driving, aggravated misdemeanor.
- Speeding — 125 mph in a 60-mph zone.
- First-offense possession of marijuana, serious misdemeanor.
- First-offense operating while intoxicated, serious misdemeanor.
- Possession of drug paraphernalia.
- Failure to obey a stop sign at a railroad crossing.
- Driving on the wrong side of a two-way highway.
- Failure to obey a stop sign and yield the right of way.
In Humboldt County, Shimon was also charged with assault with a deadly weapon on a peace officer, a Class C felony, and interference with official acts with a dangerous weapon, a Class D felony. The sheriff’s release did not identify the alleged weapon.
Shimon held in Humboldt County Jail following arrest
Shimon was initially booked into the Palo Alto County Jail to await his initial appearance before a magistrate.
Updated custody information shows he was booked into the Humboldt County Jail, 430 Sumner Avenue in Humboldt, at 4:00 p.m. Thursday, October 8, 2026. His status was listed as in custody at 4:17 p.m. that day. The record does not establish his custody status as of October 10.
Multiple agencies assist
The Palo Alto County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the Kossuth County Sheriff’s Office, Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office, Iowa State Patrol, Humboldt EMS and Bode First Responders.
All charges are accusations, and Shimon is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.