WEST DES MOINES, Iowa — West Des Moines police announced Thursday evening that it had recovered a squad car that had been stolen during a mental health call early Thursday morning.
At close to 2 a.m. Thursday, West Des Moines officers were dispatched to the area of South 60th Street and Village View Drive to assist an adult female with apparent mental health concerns. With the "chaos of their initial contact," officials said the woman managed to get into the officers' car and drive away.
Authorities were able to locate the car quickly using its GPS and begin a pursuit. At first it went north on I-80, but then turned east on I80/35 reaching top speeds close to 125 mph.
Police stop sticks were used on the vehicle to slow it down before it turned south on Highway 65 and came to a stop close to the intersection of 8th Street and Highway 65.
The woman was taken into custody and transported to the hospital for evaluation of her original mental health concern.
Besides the stolen squad car, one other took minor damage.
Iowa State Patrol, Urbandale Police, Altoona Police and the Polk County Sheriff’s Office all assisted with the chase.
Investigation is ongoing and criminal charges are pending, authorities said.
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