Harlan Police Chief Frank Clark reports his officers engaged in a high speed pursuit late Monday night. The incident began at around 10:50-p.m., as a Harlan Police Officer was behind a yellow motorcycle in the area of 6th and Laurel Street. When the rider (later identified as 24-year old Brandon Christopher Allen, of Harlan) noticed the patrol vehicle, the cycle accelerated northbound on 6th at a high rate of speed. Speeds reached 80 mph as it continued north, through the downtown area and into north Harlan. Officials say the motorcycle ran through three stop signs.

The pursuit then went west on Dye Street from 6th, then south on 12th Street from Dye Street, running another stop sign. As the motorcycle sped south through the 12th Street residential area, speeds reached in excess of 100 mph, and the cycle ran through more stop signs. Continuing south out of the city limits, speeds exceeded 115 mph on Linden Road. As Allen approached the intersection with US Highway 59, he lost control of the cycle and laid it on it’s side. Allen took off on foot westward, but was apprehended by law enforcement following a brief foot pursuit. Allen was was transported to the Shelby County Jail.

He was taken into custody on two outstanding Shelby County Warrants, and faces multiple charges associated with the pursuit and arrest.  Felony charges include Possession of Meth; Possession of contraband in a jail facility; and Eluding. Other charges include: Prohibited Acts; Interference with official acts; Driving while revoked, Possession of drug paraphernalia, and Reckless driving; Three counts of speeding, nine counts of failure to obey a stop sign, and one count of failure to obey traffic control device.

Allen was being held in the Shelby County Jail on a bond of $28,300. Harlan Police Department were assisted in the pursuit and arrest by Shelby County Sheriff’s Deputies and The Iowa State Patrol.