High-speed drivers escape Washington, Keokuk counties

      KEOTA-Two subjects who reportedly fled Washington County at 110 mph, early Sunday morning, are suspects sought in a truck theft that occurred later Sunday in rural Keota.

      According to Washington County Safety Center records, deputy Mark Gent reported at 3:44 a.m. on Sunday that two subjects in a vehicle were traveling 110 mph on Highway 92, just west of Cedar Avenue in Keota, and were westbound, heading for Keokuk County. Gent reported he was attempting to stop the vehicle. Keokuk County authorities were also contacted, but deputies from that county did not assist in a chase, said Keokuk County Sheriff Ron George, because deputies there are forbidden from becoming involved in high-speed chases without clearance from him.

      Shortly thereafter, Gent reported the vehicle he sought had entered a ditch on 230th Street in rural Keota in Keokuk County, and the occupants of the vehicle had fled on foot. It is unclear at this time whether the subjects were both male, both female, or one of each.

      Sheriff George said that it is likely the people sought in the car chase were the ones who stole a truck off a Flander homestead in rural Keota later Sunday. That truck was found in Ottumwa this morning, said George.

      Ottumwa Police Officer Jeff Williams discovered the truck, a 1998 Chevrolet pickup, at Greater Ottumwa Park at about 9:20 a.m., today. He said the truck was in good shape and still had the keys in it, leading him to believe the thieves needed to go as far as Ottumwa, and dumped the truck once they'd reached their destination.