Hunter
06/03/25
An Ottumwa man who reportedly matched the description of a suspect involved in a hit and run accident ended up getting charged with interference with official acts after leading an officer on a pursuit through a wooded area.
The incident occurred Sunday afternoon near Coral Ridge Mall. 41-year-old Dennis Rodgers was implicated in the accident that involved a stolen car. He was reportedly seen several times, wandering around the scene of the accident. An officer attempted to stop and talk to Rodgers, but he ran away. He was spotted several more times but he continued to elude officers, until he was finally taken into custody after running into the nearby wooded area and creek.
Rodgers allegedly threatened to punch the chasing officer, who suffered numerous bleeding scratches on his arms from the brush.
Rodgers was eliminated as the suspect driving the stolen car, though he allegedly admitted to being with the driver in the car at some point.
Rodgers was charged with Interference with Official Acts causing Bodily Injury, a serious misdemeanor.