Fairfax man charged with stealing snowmobile, leading deputies on chase

A snowmobile driver faces several charges after officials say he led Linn County sheriff's deputies on a chase on a stolen snowmobile early Friday.

The chase started at 8:05 a.m. Friday at the intersection of Highland Avenue and Highway 151 in Fairfax and ended four minutes later about two miles away, at Nursery Road and Old Bridge Road SW in Cedar Rapids, when the snowmobile, driven by Scott Hanley, 38, of Fairfax, rolled into a ditch.

Hanley had an active arrest warrant for possession of precursors, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia, officials said. He also faces charges for stealing the Arctic Cat Jaguar snowmobile, driving while barred and numerous traffic violations.

Hanley was riding alone, and was wearing a helmet, officials said. He was taken to Mercy Medical Center for treatment of minor injuries before being taken to the Linn County Jail.