Keokuk man leads police on chase

KEOKUK - On August 26, 2024 at approximately 8:26pm, a Keokuk Police Officer observed a white dump truck with an attached trailer driving erratically near 12th and Main Streets. The trailer was loaded with a small excavator. The dump truck was swerving in and out of lanes of traffic as well as driving through areas designated for parking. The driver would later be identified as Joseph Leeper, 48, of Keokuk.
The officer activated his emergency lights and sirens in an attempt to conduct a traffic stop on the driver. Leeper chose to disregard the lights and sirens and lead officers on a pursuit. This pursuit would continue from 12th and Main to South 24th, south to Johnson Street, east to South 22nd Street, south to Timea Street, and then continued east on Timea.
While traveling east on Timea Street at speeds estimated in excess of 40 miles per hour, at 16th and Timea, Leeper swerved in the dump truck causing a loss of the trailer and excavator in the 1500 block of Timea. The excavator would land on two vehicles parked in that area, causing total losses to both. These vehicles would be towed from the scene.
Leeper turned south on 15th Street and then west on Carroll Street, eventually entering the Oakland Cemetery. The dump truck would collide with several headstones within the cemetery before Officers were able to position their patrol vehicles in a fashion to ensure the pursuit could not continue.
Leeper was taken into custody without further issue. It was determined through an investigation that Leeper had entered a structure and stole keys to the dump truck, which already had the loaded trailer attached to it. He then stole the dump truck, leading Officers on a pursuit endangering the lives of our citizens, damaging vehicles, a utility pole, and a mailbox. We are fortunate that this incident did not lead to a loss of life or serious injury.
A search warrant was applied for, granted, and served in connection to this investigation.
Leeper is charged with Burglary 3rd Degree Second Offense, a class D felony, Theft 1st Degree, a class C felony, Eluding 2nd or Subsequent Offense, an aggravated misdemeanor, Driving While License Revoked, a serious misdemeanor, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, a simple misdemeanor. Leeper also received 23 traffic citations related to this incident.
This is an ongoing investigation.
The LeeComm Dispatch Center, Keokuk Fire Department, Lee County Ambulance Service, Lee County Sheriff’s Office, and Rairden’s Auto Salvage and Towing provided valuable assistance during this event.
We encourage the public to contact our police department with any additional information regarding this event. The community plays a large role in helping our department suppress crime and keep our community safe. You can reach our department through our social media (Facebook Messenger), the LeeComm Dispatch Center (319-372-1310), Lee County Crime Stoppers (anonymously), calling our department directly (319-524-2741), or coming to the police department in person (1222 Johnson Street, Keokuk).
Keokuk police officials encourage the public to follow their social media channels for future news releases.