Redfield man arrested following a pursuit that began in Stuart & ended on I-80

News

February 19th, 2026 by Ric Hanson

(Stuart, IA) – A man from Dallas County was arrested on a warrant and other charges, following a pursuit that began early Thursday morning in Stuart. According to the Stuart Police Department, 38-year-old Jefferey Forrest Stonehocker, of Redfield, was arrested following the chase that ended east of Stuart on Interstate 80.
Authorities say a little after 12-a.m., Thursday (2/19), Stuart Police Officers located a vehicle believed to be driven by  Stonehocker, in an apartment complex parking lot in the 500 block of S. Division Street in Stuart. Stonehocker was wanted on a Linn County warrant for failure to appear for sentencing on domestic abuse charges.
Officers, along with deputies from the Adair County Sheriff’s Department and Guthrie County Sheriff’s Department, searched the property but were initially unable to locate him. Officers remained in the area conducting surveillance. A short time later, the vehicle left the property. Officers attempted to initiate a traffic stop, but the driver fled, leading law enforcement on a pursuit eastbound on Interstate 80 from Stuart.
During the pursuit, the vehicle sustained significant tire damage and eventually came to a stop. Stonehocker who was discovered to be driving the vehicle was taken into custody without further incident. Stonehocker was transported to the Adair County Jail and charged with:
• Felony Eluding
• Reckless Driving
• Driving While License Denied, Suspended, Canceled, or Revoked
• Several additional traffic offenses
Stuart Police were assisted during the incident by the Adair County and Guthrie County Sheriff’s Offices.
“All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.”