Two charged after car chase ends in Atalissa

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By Garrett Ammesmaki

Editor, Advocate News

Two have been arrested in a Wednesday morning vehicle theft that included a brief on-foot chase in Atalissa, according to a press release from the Muscatine County Sheriff’s Office.

Deputies were responding to a complaint from a resident on a vehicle theft when they located the stolen maroon KIA van a short distance away on Third Street. Two suspects were trying to tow a second vehicle from a residential yard.

The male driver of the vehicle attempted to flee the scene before crashing into a shed on the property. The driver then tried to flee on foot, while the female passenger was taken into custody.

Keegan Leonard Lee Gravert, 26, of Coralville, and Crystal Marie Patterson, 22, of West Liberty, were transported to Muscatine County Jail.

Gravert has been charged with two counts of theft in the first degree, interference with official acts, prescription drug violation, possession of burglar tools and driving with an expired license.

Gravert also had an outstanding warrant from Scott County from July 28, 2022, according to Iowa Courts Online records. Gravert was charged with burglary - third degree, theft – second degree and criminal mischief – second offense. All these charges are Class D felonies.

Patterson has been charged with two counts of theft in the first degree, interference with official acts, prescription drug violation, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of burglar tools and escape.

The Iowa State Patrol, the West Liberty Police Department, Wilton Police Department and Atalissa EMS assisted the sheriff’s office.

Criminal records

Gravert also has charges from two previous incidents in Muscatine that he had pled guilty to.

According to Iowa Courts online, Gravert pled guilty on Dec. 16, 2022, to charges from an incident in Muscatine County on Aug. 3, 2021. Gravert was charged with eluding 25 miles over speed limit – second offense, a Class D felony and two counts of driving while barred, an aggravated misdemeanor. Gravert’s sentence hearing was scheduled for March 17.

Gravert also had another incident in Muscatine County on Aug. 17, 2021, that he has several charges from. He was charged with second-degree theft – a Class D felony, possession of a controlled substance first offense – serious misdemeanor, operating while under the influence first offense – a serious misdemeanor and driving while barred – an aggravated misdemeanor. Gravert pled guilty to these charges on Dec. 16, 2022, and was scheduled for sentencing March 17, 2023.

According to Iowa Courts online, Patterson was charged with possession of a controlled substance – methamphetamine first offense and unlawful possession of a prescription drug on July 25, 2022, in Muscatine and Scott Counties. These charges were serious misdemeanors. She submitted a not guilty plea for those charges and was scheduled to go to trial May 22, 2023.

West Liberty Index Editor Xiomara Levsen contributed to this article.

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