Two Cass County Sheriff’s Deputies were involved in a pursuit early this (Sunday) morning that resulted in damage to a sheriff’s vehicle and an arrest. Deputy Kyle Quist told KJAN News that just before 1:20-a.m., Sheriff’s Deputies in Pottawattamie County were pursuing a 1999 Ford Explorer that was making its way toward Cass County on Highway 92 near 480th.

The pursuit continued into Cass County, with speeds reaching 80-to 90-miles per hour through Griswold. The chase went east to Highway 71, where Deputy Ben Bartholomew was waiting with “stop sticks” deployed. The SUV hit the sticks at around 1:30-a.m. and entered a field, came back out of a ditch and rammed into the rear of Bartholomew’s cruiser.

The SUV continued into the intersection at Lyman, where Pott. County Deputies performed a PIT maneuver on the vehicle. The vehicle continued and eventually struck Deputy Bartholomew’s cruiser on the front and nearly struck Quist’s SUV. The suspect continued to drive south on Highway 71 for a couple of miles before the vehicle became disabled.

The suspect, 37-year old Joseph Lee Ray Bartlett, of Council Bluffs, was then taken into custody. Bartlett was transported to the Pottawattamie County Jail, where he faces multiple charges in that county, as well as Cass County. In Cass County, the charges will include assault on an officer, using a vehicle as a weapon. Quist said Bartlett was also wanted on warrants out of Montgomery County for felony Burglary and Theft.

Deputy Bartholomew’s vehicle was still functional after the impacts. He told KJAN News the push bumper on the front of the car prevented more serious damage to the radiator, engine and suspension. The rear quarter panel also sustained some damage. No injuries were reported following the incident.