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Bluffs man arrested after high-speed central IA chase Friday

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September 20th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

A man from Pottawattamie County was arrested Friday afternoon, following a 50-mile chase during which speeds topped 120-miles per hour. KCCI-TV reports 31-year old Ace Ivan James Leonard, of Council Bluffs, was defiant even after authorities took him into custody in West Des Moines. Leonard stopped the Scion he was driving on Interstate 80 near the Jordan Creek Parkway, only after it ran over stop-sticks, which punctured the tires, and after officers used a pit maneuver to knock the car onto the shoulder. State Patrol Sgt. Scott Bright said Leonard was barred from driving and had warrants out for his arrest, which is why they believe he refused to stop.

The chase began near Ames on Interstate 35 at around 11:40-a.m., Friday. The pursuit continued southbound on I-35 and entered Des Moines from the east mix-master and onto Interstate 235 just before noon. Leonard and law enforcement vehicles in pursuit of him traveled south near the downtown area and then continued west into West Des Moines and onto Interstate 80. The chase finally ended at around 12:10-p.m. Sgt. Bright said at one point speeds during the chase reached nearly 130 mph, with Leonard driving erratically, including onto the shoulders of the road, and weaving in-and-out of traffic.

As officers were leading the handcuffed man to their squad car, Leonard was seen struggling with them.