Patrol car catches fire after failed high speed chase

RED OAK — An early morning pursuit yesterday ended with a missing suspect and a Montgomery County Sheriff’s department patrol car in flames.  

At about 1 a.m. Monday, a Red Oak Police officer attempted to stop a vehicle, at which point the suspect began to flee. Deputies from the sheriff’s department took over the pursuit southeast of Red Oak. 

Deputy Zach Buttercase was behind the subject, travelling west from J Ave. onto 215th St. A second deputy, Zach Anderson, approached eastbound on 215th.

According to a sheriff’s department report, conditions were dusty and Buttercase attempted to slow down as he approached a hilltop. He then turned south to follow the suspect and slid into a ditch on the west side of Hickory. At the time, the patrol car sustained minimal damage.

Anderson continued the pursuit; Buttercase was picked up by a third deputy to assist Anderson, leaving the patrol car in the ditch. 

The suspect was not located, and the investigation is ongoing. 

Upon return to the abandoned patrol car, it was fully engulfed in flames. The 2011 Dodge Charger owned by Montgomery County and its contents were a total loss. 

The Iowa State Patrol is investigating the accident and an arson investigator with the Red Oak Fire Department is working to confirm the origin of the fire. 

Deputies Buttercase and Anderson, along with Sheriff Joe Sampson and authorities from the Iowa State Patrol were not available for comment Monday morning.