Northwest, Iowa — Multiple northwest Iowa law enforcement agencies were involved in a high speed pursuit Sunday afternoon that began in Spencer.
According to Spencer Police Chief Mark Warburton, at approximately 1:10pm Sunday, Spencer Police and Clay County Deputies initiated a traffic stop on a Chevrolet Tahoe in the 800 block of South Grand Avenue in Spencer. As law enforcement approached the driver, the vehicle fled the scene leading officers on a high speed pursuit north through Spencer.
Warburton says the pursuit continued northwest out of Spencer and exceeded speeds of 100 mph. The vehicle eventually turned south on 193rd Avenue just south of county blacktop A34 west of Milford. The vehicle continued south on 193rd Avenue until it left the roadway and became disabled.
The Chief says the driver then refused to get out of the vehicle, which resulted in the High Risk Entry and Arrest Team being utilized. The driver, identified as 31-year-old Shawn Gaston of Fairmont, Minnesota was then taken into custody without further incident at 4:35pm.
According to Warburton, Gaston was transported to the Clay County jail and charged with: Eluding, a Class D Felony; Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to Deliver, a Class B Felony; Possession of a Firearm by a Felon, a Class D Felony; Failure to Affix a Drug Tax Stamp, a Class D Felony; Failure to Obey a Traffic Control Device, Speeding, and Driving on the Wrong Side of a Two-Way Highway.
Authorities say this incident remains under investigation and additional charges are expected.
