Officers call off police chase, catch suspect later in Cedar Rapids

Officers called off a police chase in Cedar Rapids last Thursday, but made an arrest in the case the next day.

Courtney M. Beard, 26, of 1503 Center Point Rd. NE, has been charged with attempting to elude, speeding and driving while barred. Police said Beard took off from a traffic stop and was clocked at 80 mph in a 35 mph zone on 16th Avenue SW before the chase was called off because it was close to a school.

According to a police report, an officer stopped a vehicle around 11:20 a.m. Thursday on 16th Avenue SW because its brake lights were not working properly. The driver stopped and handed over a college identification card, but as the officer was talking to him, the driver sped away.

The ensuing police chase went east on Williams Boulevard SW and north on 15th Street NW. The driver turned onto B Avenue NW near Roosevelt Middle School and proceeded to run through four stop signs. Police called off the chase because of heavy traffic and because the identity of the driver was known.

Officers caught up with Beard around 11:45 a.m. Friday at his residence. He was arrested without incident and transported to the Linn County Jail, where he was later released on his own recognizance.