A West Des Moines man was arrested early Sunday after he allegedly tried to outrun an officer of the West Des Moines Police Department in his vehicle and then disregarded the officers’ orders.
Justin James Koethe, 31, of 8940 Wendover Road, West Des Moines, was charged with eluding, second-offense OWI, interference with official acts, first-offense possession of a controlled substance and failure to maintain control.
The incident began about 3:15 a.m. Sunday in the 1100 block of Jordan Creek Parkway, where a patrolling officers of the West Des Moines Police Department observed a 2021 GMC Sierra, driven by Koethe, that “drifted to the west and struck the curb violently,” according to court records.
The officer followed the Sierra and activated the patrol vehicle’s lights and siren, but Koethe allegedly “didn’t stop and continued westbound” for “more than a mile” to his residence, where he “got out and immediately tried to get away from” the officer and “inside his home,” according to court records.
Koethe presented with the strong odor of alcohol and “bloodshot, watery eyes, slurred speech, mumbled speech” and “erratic emotions,” according to court records. He allegedly “refused commands and was verbally aggressive.”
The officer drew his service revolver, pointed it at Koethe and told him “to stop walking,” but he “refused” and “walked away,” according to court records.
The officer then drew his electroshock weapon and directed Koethe “to stop or he would be tased,” according to court records. In response, Koethe allegedly ordered the officer “to get off his property” and asserted that “he didn’t do anything wrong.”
When Koethe “turned to go inside” his residence, “he was tased” and “taken into custody,” according to court records.
In examining Koethe, a paramedic found “a small baggy, containing .8 grams of a white powdery substance, on the ground immediately outside the driver’s door” of Koethe’s vehicle. The substance field tested positive for cocaine.
Koethe was held in the Dallas County Jail on a $4,587.88 cash or surety bond in advance of an initial appearance in Dallas County District Court.
Koethe was convicted of first-offense OWI in 2015 in Polk County District Court.
*A criminal charge is merely an accusation, the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
