Charges Pending Against Waterloo Man Involved In Police Chase Through City

Authorities plan to file charges against a man who led officers on a slow-speed chase through the city Tuesday night (March 31, 2015).

According to Waterloo police, the pursuit began around 10 p.m. when authorities were executing a search warrant in connection with possible drug activity at 918 East 9th St. A vehicle, driven by Brian Joseph Lavenz, 37, arrived at the home while officers were there, then drove away when they tried to stop him as part of the investigation.

Police said Lavenz refused to stop for emergency vehicles and led officers on a pursuit through Waterloo and Evansdale. According to Waterloo police captain Dave Mohlis, officers deployed stop sticks during the pursuit, but Lavenz refused to stop until his vehicle was completely disabled. Mohlis said Lavenz continued to resist officers after the stop, so they used a taser on him.

Lavenz was taken into custody and transported to a Waterloo hospital as a precaution for ingesting narcotics, police said. Charges are pending his release for the hospital.