CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa - Linn County authorities say an alleged theft from a local sporting goods store led to a high-speed chase Monday afternoon.
Around Noon on Monday, Cedar Rapids Police released information about a 2013 black Ford Fusion with three black female occupants. The vehicle had Illinois license plates and left a Dick's Sporting Goods store with around $5,000 worth of merchandise, according to police.
Minutes later, at around 12:02 p.m., a Linn County Sheriff's deputy noticed a vehicle fitting that description near the intersection of Iowa Highway 13 and Cottage Grove Parkway and attempted to perform a traffic stop.
The vehicle did not stop, and the deputy continued their pursuit. The chase led south on Dows Road, east on Mount Vernon Road, then south again on Highway 13. The vehicle entered the eastbound lanes of U.S. Highway 30 where it struck a construction sign near the intersection of that highway with Cedar River Road.
After the collision, a deputy tried to stop the vehicle again at gunpoint. The driver ignored that action, and resumed eastbound toward Mount Vernon and Lisbon.
According to sheriff's deputies, speeds during the pursuit reached 124 mph.
Law enforcement decided to end their pursuit due to excessively high speeds and the reckless nature of the driver in the vehicle they were pursuing.