DES MOINES, Iowa -- Des Moines police go on two chases and arrest three suspects in the process.
In the first chase, suspects crashed into a semi-truck near Maury St. and SE 22nd St.
"Just one of those things you realize how precious moments can be. They had to be running 70-plus miles an hour, no doubt in my mind on that. I thought for a moment they were going to take me head on," said the driver of the semi, choosing to remain anonymous.
"The suspects in the vehicle lost control, hit a semi, flipped the car over," said Des Moines Police Sgt. Rodrigo Santigo.
The two suspects sustained only minor injuries, but their home nearby was being monitored by police before they took off, and the truck driver saw it unfold. "There was a couple of unmarked vehicles chasing them initially, and within a few seconds a van with the tactical team showed up," said the driver. Multiple police, armed with long guns and wearing camouflage surrounded the flipped vehicle and apprehended both suspects. Des Moines police were unable to reveal why the home near Maury Street was being monitored by their department.
Another chase began at 2nd Avenue, led to a hit and run at Laurel Street and extended to Interstate 235, all before its end on the off ramp at East 14th Street. Police found a small child in the vehicle. "It always amazes us what people are going to risk in order to get away from the police," said Santigo.
WHO Channel 13 reports the driver was arrested and the child was unharmed and taken to Blank Children's Hospital as a precaution.
Both chases remain under investigation and charges are pending.