The Guthrie County Sheriff’s Office reports a man from eastern Iowa was arrested Thursday night on theft and burglary charges, following a traffic stop and pursuit. Authorities say 40-year old Zac Bratzel, of Marion, was arrested near 255th St. and Pecan Ave. in Guthrie County. He faces multiple charges related to two vehicle pursuits, a motor vehicle theft and burglary from Guthrie Center REC, along with drug charges. Bratzel was being held at the Guthrie County Jail awaiting an appearance before the Guthrie County Magistrate.

The incident leading to his arrest began when Bratzel fled from a Guthrie County Sheriff’s deputy following an attempted traffic stop west of Guthrie Center on Highway 44. The deputy tried to stop Bratzel’s vehicle, which was clocked at 109 MPH. The deputy pursued Bratzel into Guthrie Center and lost sight of the fleeing vehicle. At approximately 10-p.m, Thursday, a Guthrie Center citizen reported a vehicle theft in progress from Guthrie Center REC.

Law enforcement responded to the area and located the stolen REC vehicle as it was fleeing the scene south of Guthrie Center on gravel roads. After a short pursuit, the stolen vehicle pulled over and Bratzel was taken into custody without further incident.  The sheriff’s office was assisted by the Panora Police Department and the Iowa State Patrol. All criminal charges are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in the court of law.