Northwest Iowa — A high-speed chase that began in Le Mars Monday evening ended when the suspect vehicle became disabled after hitting spike strips set out by Sheldon Police.
According to the Le Mars Police Department, one of their officers attempted to make a traffic stop on the southwest side of Le Mars around 8:40 Monday evening. Police say the vehicle failed to yield to the officer’s emergency lights and sirens.
Officers say a pursuit ensued northbound on HWY 75, then north on Highway 60, eventually coming to a stop after officers from the Sheldon Police Department deployed stop sticks just south of Sheldon causing the tires on the suspect vehicle to deflate, at which time the suspects were taken into custody.
Le Mars Police say that after further investigation it was determined the suspect vehicle had been reported stolen on September 18, 2022 in Colorado.
The driver of the vehicle, 40-year-old Esteban Valdiva-Nunez of New Mexico, was placed under arrest for felony eluding, 1st degree theft, operating while intoxicated, possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, providing false identification information to law enforcement, no valid driver’s license, speeding and failure to obey a traffic control device. The passenger of the vehicle, 33-year-old Cynthia Estrada of Mexico, was placed under arrest for possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia. Both suspects were transported to the Plymouth County Jail in Le Mars without incident.
The Le Mars Police Dept. was assisted by the Orange City Police Department, Iowa State Patrol, Sioux County Sheriff’s Office, Sheldon Police Department and O’Brien County Sheriffs Office.
