Le Mars Police Department News Release
Le Mars Police Chief Kevin Vande Vegte comments on the pursuit and arrests of the “Most Wanted” suspects that occurred Thursday afternoon in Le Mars.
(Le Mars) — Authorities were able to arrest three suspects Thursday afternoon at approximately 5:00 p.m. following a high speed pursuit that began at Sergeant Bluffs and ended in Le Mars. The Le Mars Police Department says the pursuit of a black Ford Ranger pickup truck with Minnesota license plates, carrying a man wanted by the U-S Marshall’s Office occurred in Sioux City. The pickup truck lost authorities in southern Plymouth County. Information was obtained that the pickup truck was heading to Le Mars. A Le Mars Police officer clocked the pickup coming into Le Mars on 7th Avenue S.E. at speeds of excess of 100 mph. Fugitives Gabriel Verbeski and Chase Riessen, both identified as “Siouxland’s Most Wanted” have both been arrested following an hour long pursuit with Police on Thursday afternoon. Also arrested was a woman identified as Holly Vandehoef.
The pursuit began when a Sergeant Bluff Police Officer attempted to pull over a Black Ford Ranger driven by Verbeski. Verbeski took off at a high rate of speed with police giving chase. Sergeant Bluff and Sioux City Police pursued the vehicle through multiple areas of Sioux City before terminating the pursuit due to safety reasons.
A short time later the vehicle was spotted by police in Le Mars still traveling at a high rate of speed. Police attempted to stop the vehicle when Verbeski led police on another pursuit, this time through the City of Le Mars. The high speed pursuit in Le Mars lasted nearly six minutes, when the vehicle stopped in the 600 block of Grandview Avenue southeast. A pursuit ensued of the pickup throughout the southeast portion of Le Mars on city
streets. The pickup drove recklessly almost striking cars and drove across several residential yards to evade capture. After several minutes the pickup stopped on Grandview Avenue. Verbeski and Riessen eventually abandoned the vehicle in a yard and took off running on foot. The female, identified as Holly Vandehoef remained with the vehicle. All occupants were
captured by authorities. All three were arrested. They face drug charges and two had warrants. Both men were quickly captured by Officers with the Le Mars Police Department and Deputies with the Plymouth County Sheriff’s Office. Both men were booked into the Plymouth County jail on their previous state warrants. Gabriel Verbeski is wanted on a felony warrant for
running away from the Sioux City Residential Treatment Facility for a 3rd time. Chase Riessen is also wanted on felony warrants for running away from Sioux City’s Residential Treatment Facility after assaulting two staff members there. The woman, Vandehoef, was charged on several drug related charges including the possession of, and intent to deliver methamphetamine.
Both men will likely face additional charges relating to the pursuit.
Gabriel Verbeski
Chase Riessen
Holly Vandehoef
