Des Moines man crashed car into church steps & took out utility pole during chase, state patrol says

DES MOINES, Iowa — A Des Moines man is in jail on multiple charges following a high-speed chase late Monday night that ended when his car crashed into the steps of a northside church.

Michael Alcantar, 54, is being held in the Polk County Jail on charges of felony eluding OWI, and interference with official acts. He’s also charged with multiple traffic violations.

Criminal complaints filed in the case said the pursuit began around 11:12 a.m. when a trooper tried to pull over Alcantar for speeding at 2nd Avenue and U.S. 6. He refused to stop and led the trooper north on Oxford St. at speeds up to 90 miles per hour in a 25 mile per hour zone.

Sgt. Alex Dinkla with the Iowa State Patrol said Alcantar drove his car through the T-intersection at Oxford St. and Aurora Ave., struck a fence, a utility pole, and then hit the front steps of Aurora Bible Church. The vehicle ended up on its side.

Alcantar crawled out of the vehicle and there was a brief foot chase before he was taken into custody.

According to criminal complaints, Alcantar admitted he was drunk and had a fifth of whiskey at bars. He also said he’d been smoking marijuana all day.

Residents in the area where the chase ended were without power while crews repaired the utility lines.

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