Edited Aug. 17 at 10:15 pm
A high speed pursuit that covered four counties ended Friday afternoon on Highway 30 just east of Mulberry St in Jefferson. It was stop strips deployed by Greene County chief deputy Jack Williams that brought the long drive to an end.
According to Greene County sheriff Steve Haupert, Polk County sheriff’s deputies located in Polk City a 2015 Toyota Camry that had been reported stolen in Ames. The driver of the vehicle was known to be 29-year-old Meriah Teamer of Des Moines.
The pursuit began when Polk County deputies initiated a traffic stop. Perry police officers picked up the pursuit in Dallas County and continued westbound on Highway 141 until Teamer got to Guthrie County. Guthrie County deputy Jesse Swensen met the pursuit at 4:32 pm on Highway 141 and pursued Teamer to Highway 25 at Bayard and continued following as she turned north. Swensen’s radar indicated Teamer was traveling 96 mph in a 55 mph zone. Greene County deputies responded as well, with the Guthrie County deputy staying with the pursuit in Greene County.
Teamer turned east on Highway 30. As she approached Jefferson, Williams placed stop strips across the eastbound lane at M Ave one mile west of the Highway 4 intersection. Haupert explained that the strips are typically placed on the shoulder of the road attached to a rope held by an officer on the opposite side of the road. As the speeding vehicle approaches, the strips are pulled into place.
Teamer hit the stop strips with her left front tire. She continued through the 4-way stop at Highway 4 and finally lost control of the car in front of Sparky’s. She was arrested by Swensen and transported to the Guthrie County jail. An Iowa State Patrol trooper arrived from the east as Teamer was apprehended.
Records show her Teamer’s license is suspended for non-payment of fine. The vehicle was stolen from Ames from Timothy Pritchett.
Teamer was cited for eluding while participating in a felony, possession of a stolen vehicle, driving while suspended and speeding. She will also face charges from other jurisdictions for incidents occurring in those areas.
Also assisting were the Carroll County sheriff’s office and police departments from Coon Rapids, Jefferson and Panora. ~The Scranton Journal contributed to this post
