Hunter
08/12/25
Cedar Rapids Police have made an arrest in connection with an officer involved shooting on August 5th.
According to a release from the CRPD, 22-year-old Aaron Rich of Cedar Rapids stole a handgun from Theisen’s on 16th Ave SW. Rich fled Theisen’s on foot with the stolen handgun and eventually got into the front passenger seat of a GMC Acadia. Officers conducted a traffic stop on the Acadia in the Kum & Go parking located on 16th Ave SW. During the traffic stop, the driver of the vehicle exited the vehicle. Rich then climbed into the driver’s seat and left the scene.
Officers pursued the fleeing vehicle as Rich drove through the Kum & Go parking lot, circling back toward the McDonald’s parking lot. Rich slowed the vehicle, and a 4-year-old exited from the rear driver side of the vehicle. Rich then continued to flee from officers, engaging in a vehicle pursuit that traveled to the east side of Cedar Rapids. Rich drove in excess of the speed limit by more than 25 miles-per-hour and disregarded other traffic regulations to include driving through red-light traffic signals and driving against traffic.
Rich eventually drove off the roadway through the apartment complex of Oak Hill Manor, located in the 1300 block of 15th St SE. Officers were able to use their vehicles to disable Rich’s vehicle. Rich pointed the stolen handgun through the open driver side window at officers. Those actions resulted in officers discharging their firearms.
Rich was previously convicted of Burglary 1st in September 2020 in Tama County and was currently on probation. He also had two arrest warrants for Probation Violation and Voluntary Absence from Custody.
Rich was formally charged on Monday and faces charges of 4th degree Theft, Felon in Possession of Firearm, Trafficking in Stolen Weapons, two counts each of Assault on a Peace Officer using a Dangerous Weapon, Intimidation with a Dangerous Weapon and Assault while Participating in a Felony, Interference With Official Acts involving a Weapon, Child Endangerment, Attempting to Elude , Reckless Driving, and Driving while Barred.
Four officers remain on critical incident leave as the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation continues their investigation.