The name of the man involved in an early morning chase Saturday has been released.
Officers say Tyler Dean Keasling of Ottumwa, 22, was charged with eluding in an early morning chase that originated in Mahaska County and ended in Pella.
Keasling allegedly stole items from the Walmart in Oskaloosa. According to the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, a store employee notified authorities. Keasling was wanted on two felony warrants which described him as possibly armed and dangerous, so Mahaska County law enforcement tried to stop him. He fled in a stolen truck during the 5 a.m. hour, driving erratically. Keasling entered Marion County, and Marion County Deputies joined the chase, as did the Pella Police Department. At one point, he stopped and backed into a Deputy D.J. Reed’s vehicle before fleeing again. Keasling also avoided spike strips when deployed.
The chase went through Pella before it came to an end with a collision with Sheriff Jason Sandholdt’s Tahoe on Idaho Drive in what the sheriff says was an intentional intervention technique. No one was injured.
Keasling faces multiple charges in Wapello, Mahaska, and Marion Counties including: theft of a motor vehicle, assault on a peace officer, eluding, driving while suspended, reckless driving, criminal mischief in the 2nd degree, interference with official acts, operating while intoxicated 2nd offense, possession of stolen property, and multiple other theft and traffic violations.