Matlock, Iowa — A Yankton, South Dakota man has been arrested on felony theft and firearms charges after a pursuit near Matlock.
According to a criminal complaint filed with the Osceola County Clerk of Court’s Office by the county sheriff’s office, 47-year-old Jeremy Ray Bickett of Yankton is accused of the theft of a vehicle and firearms and eluding law enforcement. He was arrested on Tuesday evening after a joint effort by law enforcement officers from multiple jurisdictions.
In his statement, the deputy states that Bickett was called in as a suspicious person parked in a driveway of 2443 Nettle Avenue, about a mile southwest of Ashton. The vehicle Bickett was said to be driving was described as a Silver GMC truck. A deputy was dispatched to the area and located the matching vehicle. The deputy says Bickett was driving away from the property, traveling northbound on Nettle Avenue. The deputy attempted to conduct a traffic stop, but Bickett refused to stop and attempted to elude the deputy by allegedly driving recklessly, speeding, swerving over the centerline, and driving through multiple stop signs.
The deputy says Bickett then entered Lyon County before coming to a stop near Hershey’s bridge on Larch Avenue north of 270th Street (the Sioux County line). The deputy tells us Bickett then allegedly abandoned the vehicle and fled on foot. A check of vehicle registration showed that it was reported stolen along with two handguns.
Bickett would not comply with commands and ran into a field. The O’Brien County Sheriff’s Office was called in with their drone. They tell us the O’Brien County Deputy flying the drone was able to locate Bickett within minutes of deploying the drone using the thermal imaging camera. They say Bickett was tracked with the drone until Sheldon Police Department K9 Balin and arresting officers were able to arrest the suspect after deploying a taser.
The arresting Osceola County Deputy says the apprehension was a joint effort from their office, the Lyon County Sheriff’s Office, O’Brien County Sheriff’s Office, Sioux County Sheriff’s Office, the Sheldon Police Department, and the Iowa State Patrol. The Lyon County Ambulance transported Bickett to the Osceola Regional Hospital where he was treated for his injuries and was later transported to Osceola County Jail.
Bickett was charged with second degree theft against an older individual – motor vehicle not exceeding $10,000 in value, a class C felony; eluding at over 25 miles per hour over the speed limit, second degree theft, and dominion/control of firearm/offensive weapon by felon, all class D felonies, as well as a misdemeanor charge of operating a vehicle without owners consent. Class C felonies carry a penalty of up to 10 years in prison and class D felonies carry a penalty of up to 5 years in prison if convicted.
Bickett faces a preliminary hearing on the charges on September 21, 2023.
At last report, Bickett remained in the Osceola County Jail in Sibley in lieu of a $10,000 bond.
