West Des Moines Man Arrested After High-Speed Chase Reaching 105 MPH

A West Des Moines man was found hiding in a grain bin near Ankeny early Thursday morning after he led police there on a high-speed chase after he and a companion, who remains at large, allegedly went on a shoplifting spree.

Michael Rodemeyer, 35, faces charges of assault, second- and fifth-degree theft, driving with a suspended license, attempting to elude a police officer (over 25 mph), reckless driving, speeding and failure to use headlights

Ankeny police are still searching for the second suspect, both of whom allegedly robbed an Ankeny Walgreen's this morning.

Rodemeyer was transported to Polk County Jail and is facing a variety of charges, including theft, driving without a license and eluding officers.

Initial reports indicated Rodemeyer and the woman entered the store. Police said while Rodemeyer made a purchase, the female remained inside the store concealing items.

Police say Rodemeyer joined the female and together they placed stolen items inside the bag provided by the store for the male's earlier purchase.

According to the release, Rodemeyer and the woman got into their vehicle and fled north on Ankeny Boulevard. Police pursued the vehicle to the city of Elkhart, reaching speeds of 105 mph at times.

The vehicle was found abandoned in the 4900 block of Northeast 150th Street. A Des Moines Police Department tracking dog provided assistance, the release said, and Rodemeyer was found hiding inside the grain bin in the 5100 block of Northeast 158th Street.

The Polk County Sheriff Department, Des Moines Police Department, Polk City Police Department, Johnston Police Department and Iowa State Patrol all assisted.

According to KCCI-TV, several law enforcement agencies spent hours tracking robbery suspects after the chase ended near Elkhart early Thursday morning.

Officers saw the car leaving the scene and tried stopping it but the driver allegedly refused and proceeded to drive off at high speeds on gravel roads, the article said.

Police also told KCCI the pair ditched their car at a farm and then ran off.

Police found the man but have not yet found the woman, the article said.