Police find meth lab in North Liberty

An active meth lab found today has police looking for a man who led state patrol on a chase before ditching a car used for a rolling meth lab in Henry County just over a week ago.

A warrant for the arrest of Cole Strawhacker, 23, already existed before police said he fled 39 Holiday Lodge Rd this morning when the resident walked in after smelling chemical fumes, according to North Liberty police Chief Jim Workentin.

Workentin said he did not know if the resident - whose name is not being released - had any ties to Strawhacker, but said the property has been returned to the owner after police seized the property during the investigation.

Strawhacker grabbed two items and fled wearing jeans, a T-shirt, and no shoes or socks, Workentin said.

No one was injured in the incident, he added.

During the investigation, Penn Elementary, Van Allen Elementary, and North Central Junior High were put under a temporary lockdown, according to Iowa City Community School District officials.

The case has been turned over to the Johnson County Drug Task Force.