Two out-of-state men were arrested Sunday following a vehicle pursuit involving Orange City Police that ended near Sheldon.
The Orange City Police Department says 21-year-old Henry Kwame Tandoh Otchere of Fridley, Minnesota, and his passenger, 18-year-old Jayden Prince Hopkins of Denver, Colorado, were taken into custody on Sunday, August 30.
Police say the incident began after officers received a report of an erratic driver. Officers located the vehicle, but authorities say the driver, identified as Otchere, did not stop and led officers on a pursuit.
During the pursuit, police say Otchere turned off the vehicle’s exterior lights in an attempt to elude officers. The pursuit eventually ended on Highway 60 near Sheldon.
Police Say Drugs and Fraudulent License Found
According to Orange City Police, officers searched the vehicle and found marijuana, a THC vape pen, and drug paraphernalia. Police say Otchere admitted the items belonged to him.
Officers also reported finding a fraudulent driver’s license containing Hopkins’ information. Police say further investigation showed Hopkins had an outstanding warrant from Arapahoe County, Colorado, for robbery and assault-related charges.
Otchere was charged with eluding while exceeding the speed limit by 25 miles per hour or more, reckless driving, first-offense possession of marijuana, a separate controlled-substance charge described by police as possession of cannabidiol, possession of drug paraphernalia, operating a non-registered vehicle and failure to use headlamps when required.
In Iowa, eluding while exceeding the speed limit by at least 25 miles per hour is a Class D felony. Reckless driving and operating a non-registered vehicle are simple misdemeanors. The headlamp violation is a scheduled traffic violation and falls under the chapter’s simple-misdemeanor provision.
First-offense marijuana possession in Iowa is a serious misdemeanor, while possession of drug paraphernalia is also a simple misdemeanor.
Passenger Also Wanted in Colorado
Hopkins was charged in Iowa with possession of a false driver’s license or identification card, a serious misdemeanor.
Both men were transported to the Sioux County Jail. Otchere’s bond is listed at $5,000 cash or surety, and Hopkins’ bond at $1,000 cash or surety.
Orange City Police were assisted by the Sioux County Sheriff’s Office and Sheldon Police Department.
