A Chariton man was arrested for six charges stemming from a high speed chase and drug possession in Marion County on Friday. 

At approximately 5:20 Friday evening, a Marion County Sheriff’s Officer observed a bronze GMC Yukon traveling north on Highway 14 near Gordon Dr in Knoxville with a drive side tail light not working. Near the intersection of Robinson St and S 7th St, the officer caught up with the GMC and attempted to initiate a traffic stop. The GMC accelerated away and allegedly traveled 25 mph or more over the posted speed limit on numerous roads during the pursuit. The pursuit continued into rural Mahaska County before the GMC came to a stop. The driver, 47-year-old Chad Theis, was taken into custody following the stop and the officer found that Theis’ driving status is currently barred. 

During a conversation with Theis, the officer allegedly smelled the odor of drugs coming from the defendant and the vehicle. Following a probable cause search of the vehicle, two plastic bags with a crystalline substance, a cooler with multiple individual bags of marijuana, a scale, and multiple unused plastic baggies were located. Also located inside the vehicle were multiple glass drug pipes with visible drug residue.

Theis was charged with driving while barred, felony eluding, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of marijuana with intent to deliver, possession of methamphetamine with intent to deliver, and failure to affix a drug tax stamp for both marijuana and methamphetamine.