Armed Coralville man arrested after North Liberty police chase

Lang
2/10/23

An armed Coralville man has been arrested after a police chase in North Liberty.

North Liberty Police say officers attempted a traffic stop on a Jeep Grand Cherokee just before noon Tuesday on West Penn Street. The vehicle reportedly had a dirty rear window which obscured the temporary DOT tag, the left turn signal was left on for several blocks, and the driver appeared to be thrashing around inside the car.

Police say the Jeep sped away as they activated their lights and sirens. The chase continued to Interstate 380. In the process, the vehicle reportedly sped at over 25 miles per hour over the speed limit and almost hit two other vehicles head-on before leaving the road, entering a ditch and crashing into a light pole.

The driver, 22-year-old Jeremiah Minter Jr. of 5th Street, reportedly showed signs of impairment and admitted to consuming alcohol and marijuana within an hour of the crash.

Police say a search of the vehicle turned up 190 grams of marijuana and three firearms with magazines and ammunition.

Minter is charged with Eluding, Carrying Weapons While Intoxicated, Operating While Intoxicated, a Controlled Substance Violation and a Drug Tax Stamp Violation. If convicted on all charges, he faces a maximum of 17 years in prison.