CONTRIBUTED PHOTO — Officers from the Marshalltown Police Department apprehended a local man after a high speed chase that began outside of the Git-N-Go on South Center Street and ended south of town on Saturday afternoon.

A Marshalltown man was arrested and taken into custody on Saturday afternoon after allegedly leading officers on a high speed chase in a vehicle he had stolen out of Nevada.

According to Marshalltown Police Department (MPD) Sgt. Tom Watson, the pursuit began in the parking lot of the Git-N-Go on South Center Street, and the driver, 32-year-old Billybob James Versteegh, drove away in the stolen Corvette with California plates, heading east on Iowa Avenue to 18th Avenue and then south toward Burns Road. From there, he headed west on the gravel road and south on Smith Avenue for a short time before wrecking the vehicle.

Versteegh

After the crash, Versteegh allegedly attempted to flee the scene on foot but was promptly apprehended. Watson said speeds reached over 100 miles per hour and that it was “very possible” Versteegh was injured during the chase. According to Watson, Versteegh was resistant and had an empty gun holster around his waistband, and he was tased. A handgun was later found inside the vehicle.

Versteegh was charged with eluding, failure to provide proof of financial liability insurance, fraudulent use of registration, two counts of interference with official acts causing bodily injury, possession of drug paraphernalia, felon in possession of a firearm, and second degree theft for the stolen vehicle. Watson said stolen property connected to active theft and burglary investigations in other jurisdictions was also located inside the vehicle.

As of Sunday morning, Versteegh was still being held in the Marshall County Jail. The Marshall County Sheriff’s Office assisted the MPD in the investigation.