Sheriff's deputies catch man who led chase last week

BY CHUCK VANDENBERG
PCC EDITOR

MONTROSE - A Keokuk man who led local authorities on a chase that exceeded 100 mph a week ago is now in custody.

Steven Wesley Spoores Jr. 30, who's last known address was Keokuk, was arrested this afternoon, when deputies with the Lee County Sheriff's Dept discovered Spoores in home where a drug search warrant was being executed.

Lee County Sheriff Stacy Weber said deputies, along with officers with the Lee County Narcotics Task Force, and an agent with the state's division of Narcotics Enforcement executed a warrant in the 3600 block of 235th Avenue in Keokuk.

As a result of the search warrant and discovery of Spoores, deputies also arrested David Markell, 23, of Keokuk for harboring Spoores.

Deputies had been searching for Spoores for about eight days after he led officers on a chase on Feb. 19 in south Lee County.

Officers were attempting to pull Spoores over when he pulled away and accelerated going southbound on Hwy. 61 at high speeds. At one point stop sticks were deployed, but Spoores was able to navigate the puncture devices.

"We stopped it when it became apparent the public was at risk," Weber said. "We got into areas where traffic was getting heavy in the afternoon and we didn't want anyone getting hurt so we pulled the pursuit."

Weber said Spoores is facing "several" charges associated with the chase including eluding, reckless driving and numerous other traffic offenses. There was also a warrant for his arrest for assault and false reporting to a peace officer.

Weber said Spoores may also be charged with drug charges after four grams of methamphetamine were also discovered in the search at Shady Acres.