Cedar Rapids man charged for eluding officers in high-speed motorcycle chase

CEDAR RAPIDS — A Cedar Rapids man was charged for eluding officers after leading them on a high-speed chase on a motorcycle Friday night.

Cade Thorstenson, 19, of Cedar Rapids, was charged with two charges of eluding and 21 other traffic citations, according to a news release.

Authorities said at approximately 8:50 p.m. July 19, Cedar Rapids Police officers tried to stop a motorcycle in the 300 block of First Avenue W. The motorcycle driver did not stop and accelerated away at a very high rate of speed. He continued to elude officers while driving over 100 miles per hour and eventually traveled to southbound Interstate 380.

The Iowa State Patrol air wing gained visual of the motorcycle while Cedar Rapids police patrol units stopped the vehicle pursuit. Thorstenson then exited and traveled west on Highway 30, authorities said, continuing to drive recklessly without police chasing him. His speeds reached nearly 130 miles per hour on Hwy 30. He wove through traffic and at times passed vehicles on the shoulders of the roadway.

The aircraft tracked the motorcycle as Thorstenson exited on 80th Street SW and continued to drive at reckless speeds, failing to stop at controlled intersections and unsafely passing vehicles.

When the driver reached the outskirts of Cedar Rapids city limits, law enforcement restarted the pursuit. Thorstenson eventually stopped near 16th Avenue and 80th Street SW.

Patrol Sgt. Nate Trimble, commander of the Cedar Rapids Police Department’s Canine Unit, said in a statement the cooperation of the Iowa State Patrol’s Aerial Unit is a key component of traffic enforcement efforts.

“They are an invaluable resource in instances where a violator decides to flee and airborne assets are available,” Trimble said. “The Airwing unit works closely with specialty units such as K-9 to aid in searching for these high-risk individuals.”

During its mission Friday night, Cedar Rapids police and the aerial unit issued 33 citations, six warnings and made three arrests. Linn County Sheriff’s Deputies also were involved in these efforts.

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