17-year-old leads officers on police chase in Cedar Rapids

CEDAR RAPIDS - Police said a 17-year-old was behind the wheel of a sport-utility vehicle involved in a high-speed chase Monday.

No one was hurt in the incident, which ended when the SUV crashed into a cable box and a fence on 16th Avenue SW near Jacolyn Drive SW. A total of four boys were in the car, police said.

According to the police report, an officer checked the license plates of the SUV after witnessing suspicious activity, and realized the vehicle was stolen. The chase around 6:40 p.m. near the corner of 15th Avenue and J Street SW.

Police trailed the SUV to the west on 16th Avenue SW at speeds of up to 85 mph, according to the report. Stop sticks were deployed in two different spots, but the driver turned before the first set and avoided the second set.

After the crash, three of the boys stayed with the car, but the driver ran. He was located a short time later at his residence, police said.

Gene A. Nelson, 17, of Cedar Rapids, was arrested on suspicion of first-degree theft, interference with official acts and several traffic charges. Another 17-year-old inside the SUV had a pocket knife with a blade longer than 3 inches, and was arrested for carrying a concealed weapon. The other two were not charged.

Police said the SUV had been reported stolen on May 3.