Worth County Chase

On 02/28/2018 at approximately 2251 hours, a deputy with the Worth County Sheriff’s Office attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a Blue 2003 Ford Escape being operated by 58 year old Phillip Abbot of Mason City that was not displaying plates and was excessively speeding at the intersection of Wheelerwood Road and 420th St. The deputy initiated his lights and siren and the vehicle accelerated further and continued traveling southbound on Wheelerwood Road. A multi-county pursuit ensued that resulted in Abbot nearly striking another Worth County deputy and his vehicle with his vehicle while the deputy had him at gun point attempting to block the road. The chase lasted approximately 30 minutes and ended when Abbot drove the vehicle into the parking lot of the Winnebago County Jail and was taken into custody. Abbot was charged with Eluding Law Enforcement, Reckless Driving, Failure to Obey a Stop Sign, Driving While Suspended, Speeding, Expired Registration, No Insurance, Driving on the Wrong Side of a Two Lane Highway, and Unsafe Passing. The Worth County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the Iowa State Patrol, Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office, Lake Mills Police Department, Forest City Police Department and the Hancock County Sheriff’s Office. All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.