Chase duo held on multiple charges
http://www.messengernews.net/News/artic ... leID=11714
By DAWN THOMPSON, Messenger staff writer

Two men arrested after allegedly leading law enforcement on a chase through Fort Dodge Wednesday remain in the Webster County Jail on a hold from the Immigration and Customs Enforcement, as well as local charges.

Leodan Vasquez, 31, 1409 Fifth Ave. S., appeared in Webster County Magistrate Court Thursday charged with felony eluding, reckless driving, driving while under suspension, no insurance, failure to obey a stop sign and violation of a one-way.

In addition, he faces a serious assault charge and three charges of contempt of court for failing to appear for previous court hearings.

It was the previous charges, officials said, that they believe prompted Vasquez to take off when a marked Webster County sheriff’s patrol car pulled up behind his black Ford truck at the request of a narcotic officer investigating Vasquez.

The Fort Dodge Police Department joined the chase, and, according to court records, the truck went the wrong way on the one-way 1900 block of First Avenue North, zipped through the stop sign at South 20th Street and First Avenue South and ended up colliding with a parked car near Fourth Avenue South and South 15th Street before ricocheting into a police car.

Vasquez was taken into custody at the crashing conclusion of the chase. Arrested at the same time was truck passenger Jose Islas, 30, 1326 Third Ave. S. He is charged with three counts of contempt of court for failing to pay fines for previous theft and disorderly charges.

A cash-only bond of $10,427.40 was set for Vasquez, and a preliminary hearing was scheduled for Aug. 16. Eluding in this case is charged as a Class D felony, punishable with up to five years in prison and a maximum fine of $7,500. Serious assault is charged as a serious misdemeanor, which is punishable with up to one year in prison and a maximum fine of $1,500. The remaining traffic charges are simple misdemeanors punishable with set fines.

For Islas, a $2,212.60 cash-only bond was set and a preliminary hearing was scheduled for Aug. 16.

However, if Islas or Vasquez are able to raise the money to get out of jail before their hearings, the federal order holding them for immigration officials remains in place. Also, the investigation that preceded the chase continues and may result in additional charges.