Cedar Rapids man arrested after chase in stolen vehicle

MARION - A Cedar Rapids man is accused of theft after he allegedly stole a vehicle over the weekend and attempted to run from officers during a traffic stop.

According to the criminal complaint, deputies attempted a traffic stop on the stolen vehicle about 1 p.m. Thursday near Squaw Creek Trailer Court in Marion, but the driver - later identified as Skylar John Smith, 32 - refused to stop.

The chase ended when Smith lost control of the vehicle and drove into a ditch near Hindmen and Secrist roads in Marion, the Linn County Sheriff's Office said.

Smith was taken into custody and booked into Linn County Jail. He faces charges of second-degree theft, driving while barred and attempt to elude.

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