A high speed chase Thursday, Feb. 25 resulted in the arrest of a Traer resident.

Allan Lofquist was charged with an OWI, eluding, driving without a license, speeding, reckless driving, expired registration, dark window, no insurance, open container, failure to obey traffic lights and thirteen stop sign violations.

The pursuit began around 1:50 p.m. at the Sinclair gas station parking lot on Highway 63 in Traer. Tama County Sheriff’s Deputy Joseph Quandt observed Lofquist driving an orange 2008 Dodge Nitro.

Quandt was aware Lofquist was without a valid driver’s license due to previous charges.

According to official documents Lofquist was about to exit the vehicle when he saw Quandt pull behind him with his police car lights flashing.

Allan Lofquist

Lofquist responded by getting back into his vehicle and speeding away south on Highway 63.

The pursuit went eastbound into an alley behind Lofquist’s residence to Linn Street. On Linn Street Lofquist ran a stop sign at Linn and Second. He then turned westbound onto Second Street back to Highway 63 running a stop light at Second and Main. Lofquist continued speeding on Highway 63 out of town.

Lofquist’s speed increased to over 100 mph during the pursuit, which lasted for around 20 minutes.

After departing on Highway 63 north of Traer, the chase reentered city limits multiple times. According to Quandt, there were no injuries or damage caused as a result of the high speed chase.

Lofquist himself called 911 during the pursuit and identified himself as the individual eluding officers.

The chase concluded due to Lofquist’s vehicle running out of gas and becoming disabled near the 1800 block of P Avenue near the southwest corner of town.

According to reports, once the pursuit ended Lofquist was searched. Quandt observed Lofquist talking to himself, was incoherent and was allegedly intoxicated.

Due to Lofquist appearing highly impaired, Traer EMS was called and arrived around 2:20 p.m. It was determined he should be transported to the hospital for evaluation.

Lofquist was held at MercyOne in Waterloo for a 48 hour evaluation and is currently in custody at the Tama County Jail.

Three law enforcement officers were directly involved in the pursuit including Quandt, Tama County Detective Trevor Killian and State Trooper Josh Meggers.

Agencies assisting with the incident included the Tama County Sheriff’s Department, the Dysart Police Department, the Iowa State Patrol and the Benton County Sheriff’s Department.

The Tama County K-9 unit was also dispatched. Deputy Casey Schmidt, who had responded to the scene, ran K-9 Tyson around the outside of the vehicle and provided a positive alert for drugs in the vehicle.

A search of the car the next day resulted with no contraband being located in the vehicle.

Lofquist had previous charges including attempted burglary, going armed with intent, assault while participating in a felony, two counts of 1st degree harassment, assault while displaying a dangerous weapon and fourth degree criminal mischief stemming from an incident in December 2020.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for March 12.