Cedar Rapids man with multiple eluding convictions is charged again

CEDAR RAPIDS — A Cedar Rapids man with a long history of running from police in three counties was again charged with eluding police during an incident Monday in which he’s also accused of trying to hit an officer with his car.

Bobby Joe Witt, 48, was charged with attempt to elude (penalty enhanced) and assault on a peace officer with a dangerous weapon, both felonies, and driving while barred, an aggravated misdemeanor.

Officers were in the 3000 block of Sue Lane NW responding to a burglary call when they noticed Witt “acting suspiciously,” a police report said. He pulled into a driveway, and Cedar Rapids police Officer Melinda Rauwolf got out of her car and attempted to make contact with him.

According to the criminal complaint, Witt then accelerated while backing out of the driveway, nearly striking Rauwolf and forcing her to quickly move out of the way.

Witt then led police on a high-speed chase, exceeding the posted speed limit by 25 mph or more, authorities said. Officers finally were able to stop him in the 200 block of Lenora Drive NW.

Linn County Attorney Nick Maybanks said the incident didn’t warrant an attempted murder charge because the officer didn’t fear for her life, only “physical contact.” Witt didn’t swerve at the officer, but she did have to move, fearing he might hit her.

“Not every assault is an assault on a life,” Maybanks said.

Maybanks said he did bump up the charges from misdemeanors to felonies from what police had initially referred for his review.

According to court documents, Witt’s license was barred in 2017. He has multiple convictions for driving while barred in Linn and Johnson counties. He also has multiple convictions for felony and aggravated misdemeanor eluding charges in Linn, Johnson and Benton counties.

In one eluding incident from November 2020 in Johnson County, Witt reached speeds of 121 mph in the 70 mph zone on Interstate 380, according to a criminal complaint. Police found two small bags of methamphetamine in his vehicle during that incident, court documents said.

Witt received probation in some of the convictions, and his probation and parole for his prison terms have been revoked.

He also has domestic assault and drug charges in Linn and Benton counties, according to court records.

If convicted in this case, Witt faces up to 17 years in prison.

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