Suspected liquor thief leads Cedar Rapids police on high speed chase

UPDATE: A Cedar Rapids teenager is accused of stealing alcohol from a convenience store and leading police on a drunken, high speed chase.

The incident began after midnight Tuesday morning at the Kum & Go at 2664 16th Ave. SW. According to criminal complaints, plain clothes Cedar Rapids police officers spotted 19-year-old Christopher J. E. McGee stealing liquor. When the officer asked McGee for his identification, the teenager dropped the beer and liquor, fled to a nearby vehicle and took off with a passenger.

Police said McGee led officers on a high speed chase with speeds topping the posted limit by 25 mph. At one point, the chase reached speeds of 80 mph, police said.

McGee stopped in the 3800 block of E Avenue NW and the passenger, 22-year-old Raphael Baugh of Chicago, got out of the car. He was arrested and charge with public intoxication.

The chase ended a short time after police deployed tire deflation devices at E Avenue and Edgewood Road NW. Police said McGee, who was intoxicated and driving with a suspended license, resisted arrest.

McGee was taken into custody and faces charged of eluding, drunk driving, driving under suspension, interference with official acts and fifth-degree theft.