FAYETTE COUNTY, Iowa — A Jones County man was arrested Tuesday night after a stolen vehicle pursuit that spanned nearly 20 miles and ended with a foot chase.
According to Monticello Police Chief Britt Smith, officers initially encountered 39-year-old Jacob Allan Ahlrichs of Onslow Tuesday afternoon following a disturbance at a Monticello business where he allegedly assaulted someone.
While officers were questioning him, Ahlrichs fled on foot and was not immediately located. Several hours later, a vehicle was reported stolen from the 200 block of South Main Street in Monticello. Authorities said Ahlrichs had been seen in the area shortly before the theft.
At approximately 8 p.m., the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a suspicious person in the 3000 block of T Avenue west of Oelwein. Minutes later, a deputy located the suspect vehicle in the 16000 block of T Avenue.
When the deputy attempted a traffic stop for a violation, the driver fled. Deputies later confirmed the vehicle had been reported stolen. After a pursuit covering roughly 20 miles, followed by a foot chase, Ahlrichs was taken into custody.
He was transported to the Fayette County Jail and charged with:
Eluding (25+ mph over the speed limit)
Second-degree theft
Reckless driving
Interference with official acts
Authorities said additional charges are pending in Fayette County, and charges are also expected in Jones County related to the earlier Monticello incident.
The investigation remains ongoing.
