In an update to our earlier report, authorities in Pottawattamie County say an Atlantic man was arrested Monday evening in Walnut, following a high speed pursuit. Sgt. Jason LeMaster, with the Pott. County Sheriff’s Office, says a deputy in Avoca ran a license plate on a black 1996 Cadillac Deville at around 6-p.m., because the registered owner did not have a valid license. When the deputy initiated a traffic stop, the car, driven by 32-year old Sean Gifford, of Atlantic, sped away and went through several alleys in Avoca in an attempt to elude the deputy.

The chase continued onto Highway 83 toward Walnut, with speeds topping 100-miles per hour. The deputy terminated the pursuit because of the excess speed, but located the vehicle at around 6:18-p.m., as it was coasting unoccupied, and ended up in a residential yard. Other deputies and agencies converged on the town to search for the suspect, who was apprehended at around 8-p.m. near a residence at 226 Koeppe Street, in Walnut.

Gifford was charged with eluding, Possession of a controlled substance/Marijuana for personal use and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, along with Criminal Mischief in the 5th Degree. He was transported to the Pottawattamie County Jail and remains held on $5,000 bond.

LeMaster says Gifford told deputies he ran because he didn’t have a valid license. The Pott. County Sheriff’s Office was assisted at the scene by deputies from Cass and Shelby County, including the Cass County K9 unit, and Troopers with the Iowa State Patrol.