Hunter
11/09/20
A chase that involved two Cedar Rapids residents ended with multiple charges against the driver.
The incident began just before 12:30am Monday, when a North Liberty police officer advised a state trooper that he was going to conduct a stop on a black Chevrolet Monte Carlo whose plates didn’t match the vehicle. The driver, identified as 46-year-old Bobby Witt of C Street Southwest, refused to stop for the officer’s lights and siren as he traveled on Penn Street. Instead, Witt allegedly accelerated and headed north on Interstate 380.
The trooper became lead vehicle in the chase, reportedly clocking Witt at speeds of up to 121 miles an hour on the 70 mile-per-hour stretch. Witt then exited at mile marker 10, driving through Shueyville eastbound at speeds of up to 80 miles an hour in a 35 mile per hour zone.
The trooper reports that he executed a “precision intervention technique” to get Witt to stop as he went north on Fisher Pond Road. Witt reportedly was taken into custody without incident.
A subsequent search of the vehicle discovered two small baggies containing suspected meth and a digital scale.
A check of Witt’s driving record showed his status as barred through August 2022 as a habitual offender.
Witt has been charged with Driving While Barred, Eluding while committing a Felony, 3rd offense Drug Possession and possession of drug paraphernalia. He could be sentenced to over 17 years in prison if convicted on both charges.
His passenger, identified as 35-year-old Tonya Rupe of 34th Street Northeast, was charged with second offense Drug Possession, an aggravated misdemeanor.