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Pacific Junction man faces numerous charges following a chase and capture

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February 18th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

The Mills County Sheriff’s Office says a chase that began with a reported break-in at a rural Hastings residence Sunday night, ended early Monday morning with the suspect taken into custody on numerous charges, including attempted murder. Sheriff Eugene Goos said Tuesday, 33-year old Myron Lee Brandon, of Pacific Junction was located by an Iowa State Patrol aircraft at around 12:10-a.m., Monday. The man had been hiding in a brushy area about 50-yards from an abandoned pickup truck he allegedly used to ram twice a law enforcement vehicle. Brandon was charged with Felony Eluding, Attempted Murder, Criminal Mischief and 3rd Degree Burglary. He was being held in the Mills County Jail with additional charges pending.

The incident began at around 8:52-p.m., Sunday, when Mills County Dispatch received a 911 call with regard to the break-in of a rural residence. The home’s owner was following a black Ford F-150 pickup believed to be used by the suspect in the burglary. A Sheriff’s Deputy observed the vehicle near the intersection of Lambert Avenue and 380th Street, and engaged in a pursuit.

During the chase, the suspect’s vehicle entered a farm field located north of Lambert Avenue on 325th Street. At about 10:24-p.m. the pickup rammed the deputy’s SUV, disabling it. After the deputy exited his vehicle, the pickup intentionally hit the rear of the SUV where the deputy was standing. In fear for his life, the deputy fired 5 shots into the pickup, which continued on and hit a grain auger and barn before leaving the property.

After the pickup was found abandoned along the north side of the railroad tracks, a ground search for the suspect involving deputies with the Mills, Montgomery, Cass and Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Offices as well as officers with the Glenwood Tabor and Red Oak Police Departments, was conducted. Brandon was taken into custody without incident. No law enforcement personnel were injured during the incident.