A 47-year-old man faces an attempted murder charge after Rock Valley Police say he intentionally struck an officer with a pickup and led law enforcement on a pursuit Wednesday evening, October 21st.
According to the Rock Valley Police Department, Iram Jesus Ayala Rodriguez drove into a parking lot adjacent to the police department around 6:30 p.m., where two officers were on foot speaking with another person.
Police say Ayala Rodriguez briefly spoke with the officers, and one recognized him and knew he did not have a valid driver’s license.
According to the release, Ayala Rodriguez refused an officer’s order to stop, then drove his 2015 Ford F-150 at the officer, intentionally striking him in an attempt to run him over. Police say Ayala Rodriguez fled and pointed what appeared to be a firearm at the officers.
Pursuit Goes North of Rock Valley
The officers reached their patrol vehicles and began pursuing Ayala Rodriguez north of Rock Valley on K30. Police say he failed to yield to emergency lights and sirens, intentionally made contact with a pursuing officer’s vehicle, and committed numerous traffic offenses.
An attempt to stop the pickup with a spike strip was unsuccessful.
The pursuit returned to Rock Valley, where Ayala Rodriguez eventually stopped at Highway 18 and Main Street. He was taken into custody without incident.
The officer struck by the pickup was treated at the Rock Valley hospital and released with minor injuries.
A Rock Valley Police K9 unit and a Sioux Center Police car each sustained an estimated $5,000 in damage during the pursuit.
Attempted Murder Among Charges
Police say Ayala Rodriguez faces attempted murder of a peace officer, a Class B felony, and eluding, a Class D felony.
Additional charges listed in the release include three counts of assault while displaying a dangerous weapon, an aggravated misdemeanor, and first-offense operating while under the influence, a serious misdemeanor.
The release also lists the following simple misdemeanor charges:
- Failure to yield upon entering a through highway.
- Driving on the wrong side of a two-way highway.
- Two counts of unsafe passing.
- Three counts of failure to obey a stop sign.
- Failure to obey a traffic control device.
- Failure to use a safety belt.
- Reckless driving.
- Two counts of driving with a suspended license.
- Use of an electronic communication device.
Rock Valley Police were assisted by the Sioux Center, Orange City, and Hawarden police departments, the Sioux and Lyon County Sheriff’s Departments, and the Iowa State Patrol.
