Cedar Rapids man used stolen vehicle during Marion chase, rifle during C.R. home break-in, police say

CEDAR RAPIDS — A Cedar Rapids man was found passed out in a stolen vehicle at a Marion park Thursday before fleeing from officers and breaking into a Cedar Rapids home while armed with a rifle, according to a Linn County criminal complaint.

Marion police were dispatched to Thomas Park for a welfare check on a man reported to be slumped over in a vehicle. Officers determined the 2018 Chevrolet Traverse was a stolen vehicle and saw an open bottle of Jack Daniels within reach of the sleeping driver. Upon waking, the driver fled from officers and rear-ended a vehicle, according to the complaint.

Marion police put out an attempt to locate the vehicle. A Cedar Rapids officer found it parked in the 5900 block of Rockwell Drive NE, according to a Cedar Rapids Police Department news release. As the officer approached the vehicle, the man fled on foot while carrying a rifle.

The man — later identified as Tyler G. Deemer, 34, of Cedar Rapids — then entered a house in the 800 block of Greenfield Street NE, confronted those in the home and attempted to steal a car from the attached garage, police said.

Deemer then continued to flee on foot from officers and attempted to steal a Ford F-150 from a home in the 900 block of Fernwood Drive NE. At that point, an officer was able to separate the rifle from Deemer and take him into custody without incident, the release said.

Officers found two other firearms in the stolen vehicle Deemer was driving, as well as methamphetamine, according to the criminal complaint.

Deemer has been charged with first-degree burglary, a Class B felony punishable by up to 25 years in prison; two counts of first-degree theft, a Class C felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison; felon in possession of a firearm; possession of a short-barreled shotgun or rifle; trafficking stolen weapons; interference with official acts while possessing a firearm; assault while displaying a dangerous weapon; possession of a controlled substance (penalty enhanced, methamphetamine); and operating a motor vehicle under the influence of an alcoholic beverage.

Deemer is being held in the Linn County Jail on $62,000 cash or surety bond.