Le Mars Man Arrested After Eluding Law Enforcement Officials

(Le Mars)— The Plymouth County Sheriff’s Office is reporting that about 3:15 a.m. this morning (Friday) a deputy attempted a traffic stop on a 1995 Pontiac Firebird. The vehicle failed to stop and fled the deputy in and around the Le Mars area. The Le Mars Police Department assisted with the chase that covered about six miles and ended in the 35000 block of county road C-30, east of Le Mars, when the vehicle went into a ditch. At that
time, the driver fled on foot into a corn field. Additional units were dispatched including the Le Mars Fire and Rescue Department to provide lighting. The Iowa State Patrol also assisted with additional man power. A search within the area was conducted on foot and with a K9 dog. After about an hour, the search was terminated. At approximately 8:45 a.m. this morning
a suspect was located by the Le Mars Police Department in the 600 Block of 4th Avenue Northeast. 35-year old Chase Kounkel of Le Mars was taken into custody by the officer and turned over to the Sheriff’s Office for charging.
During the arrest, Kounkel was found to be in possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia. Kounkel was taken to the Plymouth County Jail and booked on the following offenses including: driving while barred, an aggravated misdemeanor; eluding, an aggravated misdemeanor; possession of methamphetamine (3rd offense), Class D felony; and possession of drug paraphernalia, a simple misdemeanor.

Chase Kounkel – 35 years of age