Iowa City police find pound of marijuana after chase

CORALVILLE — Police recovered a pound of marijuana after a pursuit involving two Chicago men.

According to Iowa City police criminal complaints, around 10:44 p.m. Jan. 19, officers responded to a complaint of a blue Chrysler minivan with Illinois plates being driven recklessly on Interstate 80. Police caught up with the minivan and attempted a traffic stop, but the driver — later identified as 20-year-old Rayvon J. Hall — refused to stop.

Officers followed the minivan to the Interstate 380 on-ramp where Hall lost control, hit another vehicle and sent the minivan down an embankment, where it crashed against a fence. Hall and his passenger, 22-year-old Jakeem M. McCray, fled the scene on foot.

Hall was located about a quarter mile away, hiding in a spool of wire in an industrial park. McCray was found hiding behind a parked car and under some shrubs, police said. Despite being covered in 'mud and brush,' police said McCray denied being in the van or running from officers.

Police also located a black duffel bag about 20 feet from the van. Inside was Hall's clothing and a vacuum-sealed bag containing roughly one pound of marijuana.

The men were arrested and each face charges of controlled substance violation, a Class D violation; Iowa drug tax stamp violation, a Class D felony; and interference with official acts, a simple misdemeanor. Hall faces an additional charge of eluding, a Class D felony.

l Comments: (319) 398-8238; lee.hermiston@thegazette.com