Cedar Rapids man leads police on multiple chases Monday

After a traffic stop in southwest Cedar Rapids Monday, police say an 18-year-old eluded officers twice on foot and also by car, which he knowingly accelerated toward a police sergeant.

After receiving a report of a suspicious gray Nissan before 1:30 p.m., officers said they stopped Andre D. Richardson, of 1547 Washington Ave. SE, at the 400 block of 21st Street SW. Richardson exited the car and ran westbound on foot, refusing to obey officers' orders to stop, and leading them on a long chase, during which the vehicle he was driving was reported stolen by his grandmother, police Sgt. Cristy Hamblin said.

Police said Richardson circled back and got into the vehicle, accelerating towards Sgt. Jeff Verschoore, who was standing in front of the car, again ordering him to stop. Verschoore was forced to move out of the way to avoid being struck, Hamblin said.

According to Hamblin, Richardson engaged police in a high speed chase throughout the southeast side, driving 60 mph in a 30 mph zone at the 1700 block of Fourth Avenue SE. He then ran a stop sign at 16th Street and Bever Avenue, took a number of turns, including driving through two alleys on Washington Avenue SE, and drove the wrong way down Third Avenue SE.

Richardson was finally stopped in his car at an alley between the 1500 block of Washington and Bever avenues, but led police once more on a foot chase to his residence, where he was arrested just after 5 p.m.

Richardson's grandmother answered the door, as he came downstairs with his mother. He was arrested and taken to the Linn County Jail, Hamblin said, where he was being held Tuesday night.

Although he wasn't charged with stealing the vehicle or operating it without proper registration, he faces charges of assault on a peace officer with a dangerous weapon (a class D felony), attempt to elude, and interference with official acts, a simple misdemeanor.

His bond was set at $13,650 cash, according to the jail.