(Updated 10:50-a.m. w/Pott. County charges) — A Council Bluffs man was arrested following a pursuit that began this (Friday) morning near Harlan, and ended near Avoca. The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office reports at around 1:55-a.m.. a Shelby County Sheriff’s Deputy attempted to stop a vehicle south of Harlan. The vehicle, a 1999 Dodge Ram pickup, driven by 29-year old Andrew Neilsen, failed to stop and a pursuit ensued on the gravel roads near Nishna Bend Park. The vehicle traveled southbound towards Avoca, eventually heading southbound on Highway 59. As the pursuit neared the I-80 interchange at Avoca, a Pottawattamie County deputy joined the pursuit.

Shelby County Sheriff’s SUV damaged in a pursuit this morning (photo from the Shelby Co. S/O’s Facebook page.)

The suspect then attempted to make a turn to get on Interstate 80 eastbound. In doing so, the suspect decelerated suddenly, causing the deputy to strike the vehicle in the rear and disabling the deputy’s vehicle. The suspect continued his attempt to elude law enforcement by reversing down Highway 59 towards Avoca for a short distance, before ending up in the west ditch. He was taken into custody by the Shelby and Pottawattamie County deputies without further incident. Both the deputy and Neilsen were evaluated at the scene by Avoca Fire and Rescue.

Neilsen was then transported to the Pottawattamie County Jail, where he was charged with: Possession/Delivery of Drugs (82.8 grams of Methamphetamine & 11.6 grams of Marijuana); Ongoing Criminal Conduct; Drug Stamp Criminal Penalties; Felony Eluding; Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (a meth pipe, scales and baggies); and OWI/1st offense. Authorities seized SIM cards valued, a wallet with a fake ID during their investigation. The property was valued at $100.

Authorities learned during their investigation, that Nielsen was wanted on warrants out of Ida, Oakdale, and Pottawattamie County. Additional charges were pending in Shelby County. The accident was investigated by the Iowa State Patrol. The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office, the Cass County Sheriff’s Office, the Iowa State Patrol, and Avoca Fire and Rescue.