Minnesota man arrested after leading Iowa City police on chase in stolen vehicle

A Minnesota man on his way to Florida in a stolen vehicle led Iowa City Police on a chase Wednesday after being involved in a motor-vehicle crash.

David Wilkes, 29, was charged with multiple crimes including first-degree theft, a Class C felony; and multiple Class D felonies including two counts of eluding and a third offense of operating while under the influence, according to the criminal complaint.

Wilkes caused a car accident on Mormon Trek Boulevard and then took off, according to the criminal complaint. After initially pulling over once an Iowa City officer turned his police car lights on, Wilkes then fled southbound on the Boulevard extension from Highway 1, the complaint stated, hitting speeds of over 80 mph on the 45 mph street.

Wilkes’ vehicle later was called in as a suspicious vehicle in the Lake Ridge Community mobile home park. After officers identified the vehicle from the earlier accident and flashed lights, Wilkes sped away again.

Officers deployed stop sticks to deflate the vehicle’s tires and eventually Wilkes was apprehended on S. Riverside Drive.

Wilkes was being held at the Johnson County Jail as of Thursday morning under a $27,000 cash or surety bond.

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