Villisca man arrested after high speed chase

A Villisca man drove 90 miles per hour, flipped his vehicle several times and still tried to outrun police before his arrest early Wednesday morning. 

Joshua Cooney, 30, was arrested on a felony charge of eluding and three serious misdemeanors of possession of methamphetamine, marijuana and operating while intoxicated. 

According to the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, deputies attempted to stop Cooney’s unplated 1997 Dodge Dakota at the intersection of Vine Avenue and 260th Street east of Villisca just after midnight Wednesday. 

Cooney refused to stop, continuing south on Vine Avenue while exceeding 90 mph. He eventually lost control of the vehicle, causing it to roll several times near 10th street. 

Cooney fled the accident scene on foot, but deputies quickly apprehended him. 

A K-9 unit was called to search for evidence and located a flashlight in the fenceline that contained about .7 grams of methamphetamine. 

A search of Cooney’s vehicle revealed a small amount of marijuana and numerous items of drug paraphernalia. 

Cooney is currently in custody at the Montgomery County Law Enforcement Center on a $5,000 bond.