On June 24, 2023, at approximately 1:08 a.m. a deputy with the Des Moines County Sheriff’s Office attempted to stop a motorcycle for speeding on Highway 61 near Skunk River Road. The vehicle failed to stop as it turned west onto Skunk River Road. The deputy pursued the motorcycle which reached speeds of 80 mph in a 50-mph zone. The motorcycle turned south into Lee County from Augusta and eventually came to a stop in the 3000blk of highway 16 just east of Denmark, IA.
After coming to a stop, the driver took off running on foot until he was eventually detained by the pursuing deputy. The suspect was placed under arrest and identified as Wayne Andrew Hayes, age 41, of Ft. Madison, IA. Hayes was transported to the Des Moines County Correctional Center where he was charged with Felony Eluding, Driving While Barred, and Interference with Official Acts. His bond was set at $5000.