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Police: Iowa woman fleeing officers hit 100 mph with 4 kids in car

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August 6th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

A Cedar Rapids woman is facing numerous charges after police said she stole a purse, used a credit card without permission, then fled police, starting a high speed chase that ended in a crash, while she had four kids in the car. According to KCRG, criminal complaints state 39-year-old Kayla Markell stole someone’s purse and used at least one credit card from inside it to make purchases at a Cedar Rapids Walmart on Thursday. Police said surveillance footage helped them identify Markell as the person who took the purse.

On Monday, police tried to pull her vehicle over, but officers said she refused to stop.During the ensuing chase, police said Markell at times exceeded 100 mph, weaving in and out of traffic and ultimately crashing the vehicle on Kirkwood Boulevard SW, near Prairie High School. Officials said there were four kids in the vehicle with Markell during the chase and crash, each under the age of 10. The criminal complaints don’t specify whether any of the kids were injured during the incident.

Investigators said Markell admitted to having taken the purse and to having used the credit cards without permission.

Markell is charged with eluding while exceeding the speed limit by 25 mph or more, four counts of child endangerment, credit card fraud, fourth-degree theft, and other charges related to the chase.