Ernest Hemingway once wrote, “the truth is stranger than fiction.” Sometimes, it can even be hard to tell the two apart. Case in point: the high speed chase that took place in Eagle Grove on Friday, December 5th. Which has all the hallmarks of something scripted in Hollywood. At around a quarter to ten at night, The Eagle Grove police department was apprised by the Wright County dispatch to be on the lookout for a burgundy Chevy pickup that had been reported driving erratically, swerving across the road, and even into the ditch.
Eagle Grove PD officer Jamey Louck spotted the vehicle headed south in the 100 block of S. Commercial, and followed. He attempted to pull the vehicle over, but the driver chose to flee, and a pursuit kicked off on Southwest 9th St. Reaching speeds clocked in excess of 85 miles per hour. The Wright County Sheriff’s Office assisted with the chase.
At one point the driver, identified as 35 year old Gator Midnight Gifford of Des Moines, attempted to elude pursuing officers by veering into a pasture. Crashing through a fence in two locations. The high speed chase then turned north up Commercial Avenue, before coming to a stop in a field behind Zoetis.
But the chase wasn’t over yet. According to Eagle Grove police Chief Ray Beltran, the chase then turned into a foot pursuit. As the suspect then abandoned the vehicle and ran through the train yard.
Officer Louck gave chase. In a seemingly desperate attempt to escape him the suspect allegedly crawled under a train car, and across the tracks. An extremely dangerous move. Fortunately, according to Chief Beltran, eagle eyed railway workers saw the commotion and secured the trains.
Refusing to let the suspect escape, Officer Louck courageously crawled through the space under the train car as well, before running Gifford down and capturing him.
A check on the vehicle that Giffords had been driving showed the vehicle had been stolen in Webster City. Which was also the scene of a break in at the Webster City Country Club, where a large amount of alcohol was stolen. Significant amounts of alcohol were found in the vehicle.
Giffords now faces a series of serious charges, including operating a vehicle without the owner’s consent, eluding at speeds over 25 miles per hour, possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, criminal mischief, and driving while suspended. Additional charges are reportedly pending.
