News : High Speed Chase ends in arrest

On the 13th of March, 2024, at approximately 14:32 hours, a Benton County Sheriff's deputy observed a silver Chevy Silverado with no license plates traveling westbound in the 2900 block of 74th St. near Atkins. The deputy attempted initiate a traffic stop on the vehicle, but it took off at a high rate of speed and a pursuit ensued.

 The pursuit went south onto 29th Ave and then went eastbound on various gravel roads into Linn County. Once into Linn County, the vehicle fled northbound onto Sisley Grove Rd. SW. The pursuit continued northbound across HWY 30 continuing on Sisley Grove Rd. SW. Speeds reached at high as 90mph during this phase of the chase.

 At approximately 14:41 hours, an aircraft unit with the Iowa State Patrol joined the pursuit tracking the suspect vehicle. The Iowa State Patrol aerial unit provided updated directions of travel to dispatchers. The suspect vehicle went westbound on E Ave and then turned northbound on Linn Benton Rd.

 Once back into Benton County, the suspect vehicle turned westbound onto 71st St. approaching Atkins. The vehicle entered Atkins speeding over 90mph in a 35mph zone. Once into Atkins, the suspect vehicle turned southbound onto 33rd Ave. The pursuit then exited Atkins, and the vehicle turned westbound onto 72nd St. An Iowa State Patrol unit was posted on 72nd St. intercepting the vehicle bringing an end to the pursuit. A Benton County deputy was right behind the vehicle when the suspect stopped.

 Once stopped, the suspect driver immediately exited the vehicle with his hands raised and laid on the ground surrendering himself to law enforcement. A female passenger present in the vehicle was ordered out and was immediately detained by law enforcement. The driver was taken into custody without further incident.

 The suspect driver was identified as 36-year-old Joseph Tuttle of Norway. He was wanted on a Linn County felony probation violation warrant that was issued in February of 2024. Tuttle was ultimately arrested and transported to the Benton County Jail. He is charged with felony eluding - 25mph or more over the speed limit (Iowa code 321.279(2)(a)), possession of drug paraphernalia (Iowa code 124.414), and is also being held on his Linn County warrant. He was also issued traffic citations for speeding 90mph in a 35mph zone, speeding 89mph in a 55mph zone, failing to obey a stop sign, and failure to provide proof of financial liability. The female passenger was released from the scene without charges.

 Tuttle is currently being held at the Benton County Jail with a $5,000 bond. Once done in Benton County, he will be extradited to the Linn County Jail on his warrant. 

The Benton County Sheriff's Office was assisted by the Iowa State Patrol and Linn County Sheriff's Office. We would like to give a special thank you the Iowa State Patrol for their aircraft unit that assisted!

A criminal charge is merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.