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Man arrested after chase ends with a crash into a NW IA casino

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November 22nd, 2011 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A northwest Iowa man has been arrested after officials say he led authorities on a chase that ended when he crashed his car into the WinnaVegas casino in Salix. The Iowa State Patrol says 54-year-old Robert Bechtel, of Cherokee, is charged with drunken driving and numerous traffic violations. His case isn’t on the online court system and it’s not known if he has an attorney.

The patrol says the chase began Monday night when a trooper tried to help a motorist parked on the shoulder of Interstate 29 near Salix. When the trooper stopped, the driver took off. Authorities say the chase ended when Bechtel pulled into the casino’s parking lot, lost control of his car and hit the building.