Lang
11/3/22
A central Iowa man faces numerous charges after allegedly leading law enforcement on a chase along Interstates 80 and 380, then using a tire iron to vandalize two police cruisers.
According to arrest records from the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office, a caller reported seeing 29-year-old Lorenza Johnson of Des Moines trying to shoot out the tires of a semi around 10:15 Wednesday morning. Online records indicate the incident occurred along I-80 near the West Liberty exit.
Johnson then reportedly led police on a 14 mile pursuit. His 2013 Chevy Malibu was stopped with stop sticks at the I-380 off-ramp for the Penn Street exit in North Liberty. Investigators say Johnson then left his vehicle and used a tire iron to break multiple windows and dent the door panel of an unmarked police cruiser. When Johnson was unable to gain entry, he reportedly used the tire iron on another police vehicle, breaking its windshield.
Johnson was eventually taken down by officers, one of whom suffered an abrasion to his arm. Police say Johnson was sweating profusely and talking non-stop.
Johnson is charged with 2nd Degree Robbery, 2nd Degree Criminal Mischief, Eluding, Operating While Intoxicated, Driving While Suspended, and Interference With Official Acts Causing Serious Injury. If convicted on all charges, Johnson faces a maximum of 19 years in prison.