Stolen Vehicle Chase Ends in Crash, Arrest Near Clear Lake’s I-35 Exit 188

CLEAR LAKE, Iowa — A driver in a stolen vehicle was taken into custody Friday evening after a police chase on Interstate 35 ended in a rollover crash near Clear Lake, according to Clear Lake police.

Officers received a report of a stolen vehicle traveling on I-35 at about 2 p.m., police said. An officer located the vehicle and attempted to stop it, but the driver fled south on the interstate before exiting at Exit 188.

While exiting, the driver struck a boat being towed by another vehicle and rolled the stolen vehicle, according to police. No injuries were reported from the crash. The driver then ran into a nearby field, police said.

Law enforcement located and arrested the driver around 6:30 p.m. while the suspect was hiding in a creek, according to police.

The Clear Lake Fire Department, Cerro Gordo County Sheriff’s Office, Iowa State Patrol troopers, K9 unit and air wing, and the Rockwell Police Department assisted in the search, police said.

Officers had asked the public to avoid the Exit 188 area while the investigation was active and to report any suspicious activity to law enforcement.

Police said all information is preliminary and subject to change as the investigation continues. Additional details may be released at a later time.