Lang
5/29/22
An arson suspect faces charges that he led Johnson County Sheriff’s deputies on a police chase that only ended with the deployment of stop sticks.
A Department of Natural Resources conservation officer reports seeing 50-year-old Jereme Goltz of Amana at the Hawkeye Wildlife Area just off Highway 965 along the Iowa River just after 1:15 Saturday afternoon. Goltz is currently awaiting a June 2nd sentencing after he pleaded guilty to arson charges stemming from an incident at the wildlife area last August. Investigators say Goltz set fires that damaged multiple trees, parking lot posts and privately-owned hay bales.
Goltz, who had a warrant for his arrest out of Iowa County, left the parking lot Saturday as the officer approached his vehicle. He was pulled over on James Street near Swan Lake Road after the officer activated her lights and siren. But Goltz then reportedly left the stop as the officer was speaking with him. A chase ensued, with Goltz reportedly going around a set of stop sticks and continuing west on 250th Street before hitting a second set of stop sticks and coming to a halt.
Goltz is charged with 2nd Offense Eluding. If convicted he faces a maximum of two years in jail.