MARSHALL COUNTY, Iowa — An Altoona man is facing multiple charges after allegedly leading deputies on a "high-speed pursuit" through Marshall and Tama Counties, according to the Marshall County Sheriff's Office.
48-year-old Jeremy Finks is charged with the following:
- Eluding 25+ over the speed limit
- Criminal Mischief 2nd degree
- Assault on a peace officer with a deadly weapon
- OWI - 1st offense
- Excessive Speed - 21 over posted speed limit
- Fail to Obey Stop Sign (2 counts)
A Marshall County deputy first observed Finks driving a red Chevrolet Colorado east on Highway 30 at 99 mph in a 65 mph speed zone at around 11:45 p.m. Wednesday.
When the deputy attempted to initiate a traffic stop, Finks allegedly began to flee, eventually turning south on to Tama County T47.
Additional deputies from Marshall County and Tama County, as well as Tama police, were called to assist in the pursuit.
The sheriff's office says the chase continued on gravel roads south of Montour before entering a farm field.
Deputies eventually deployed tools to deflate a tire. Despite the setback, Finks continued to flee north, entering multiple rural properties.
At one point, Finks allegedly turned the car around and crashed into a Tama County Sheriff's Office patrol vehicle and a Tama police patrol vehicle before continuing to flee.
During the chase, sparks coming from the vehicle caused a grass fire near the Iowa River Bridge.
Deputies eventually stopped the chase at the Meskwaki Travel Plaza, where Finks was taken into custody.
Finks is being held at the Marshall County Jail on $40,000 bond.
The investigation into this incident remains ongoing. Notably, the car Finks was driving was reported stolen out of Polk County earlier Wednesday evening.