KEOKUK, Iowa — A man has been arrested after fleeing police in a stolen dump truck and driving through a cemetery in Keokuk, police said.
Around 8:26 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 26, an officer with the Keokuk Police Department saw a man driving a dump truck and swerving in and out of lanes of traffic near 12th and Main streets, along with driving through designated parking areas. Police said the truck had a trailer attached and was loaded with a small excavator.
According to a press release, the officer attempted to pull the driver over but he fled police and a pursuit followed. Police said the chase continued from 12th and Main to South 24th, south to Johnson Street, east to South 22nd Street, south to Timea Street and then continued east on Timea.
Around the 1500 block of Timea, police said the driver, who has been identified as 48-year-old Joseph Leeper of Keokuk, swerved and caused the trailer to detach from the truck. The excavator fell onto two vehicles parked in the area and both were total losses.
Leeper then turned south on 15th Street and then west on Carroll Street before entering the Oakland Cemetery. Police said he hit several headstones before officers were able to position their cars to end the pursuit.
Upon investigation, police learned Leeper had stolen the dump truck.
"He then stole the dump truck, leading officers on a pursuit endangering the lives of our citizens, damaging vehicles, a utility pole, and a mailbox," the press release from Keokuk police read. "We are fortunate that this incident did not lead to a loss of life or serious injury."
Leeper was arrested and charged with third-degree burglary, first-degree theft, eluding, driving with a revoked license, possession of drug paraphernalia and 23 traffic citations. He is being held at the Lee County Correctional Center.
Police said the investigation is ongoing and asked anyone with information to contact officials. That can be done by messaging the department's Facebook page, calling the LeeComm Dispatch Center at 319-372-1310 and the department directly at 319-524-2741. Individuals can also stop by the department in person at 1222 Johnson St. in Keokuk.
