On April 12, 2026, at approximately 5:34 A.M., Deputy LaCore of the Mower County Sheriff’s Office was on routine patrol traveling southbound on Main Street near the 2nd Avenue SW intersection in the City of Austin, County of Mower, when he observed a silver 2006 Buick Lucerne (IA LIC/MBH112) stopped at the 2nd Avenue SW stop sign. LaCore recognized the vehicle from prior law enforcement contacts and knew that it was frequently driven by DYLAN ARTHUR LEEPER, DOB/090793, the defendant herein, and his girlfriend, Victim A (an adult female). LaCore was also aware that the defendant had an active A&D order from Mower County Correctional Service after he absconded from court ordered treatment and that there were concerns that the defendant may be in possession of a firearm.
Deputy LaCore conducted a U-turn and followed the suspect vehicle as it traveled west on 2nd Avenue SW. The vehicle then turned south on 1st Street SW and drove west on 3rd Avenue SW to the 4th Street SW intersection. LaCore observed the vehicle did not signal its turn at the intersection and that the rear license plate light did not illuminate. LaCore followed the vehicle as it turned south on 4th Street SW. LaCore activated his emergency lights and attempted a traffic stop at 4th Street SW and 8th Avenue SW. Deputy LaCore noted the vehicle was slowing to stop, then it suddenly turned southbound into an alleyway and fled from the deputy.
LaCore activated his squad’s sirens. The vehicle did not stop and continued to flee from the deputy. Deputy LaCore followed the vehicle as it turned westbound into the alley between 9th Avenue SW and 8th Avenue SW. The vehicle then turned northbound on 8th Street SW. The vehicle continued to flee from the deputy throughout residential areas located in the City of Austin in multiple directions and across intersections at high rates of speed. The vehicle failed to signal turns and failed to stop at stop signs.
As the vehicle turned east on 5th Avenue NW and then south onto 13th Street NW, the rear passenger door opened, and Deputy LaCore observed Victim A get out of the vehicle and run toward the sidewalk. LaCore observed the driver to have the same build as the defendant and wore a grey hooded sweatshirt. The vehicle continued to flee and turned westbound on 4th Avenue NW. Deputy LaCore continued to pursue the fleeing vehicle for several blocks as it took multiple turns in the northwest neighborhood. Lacore followed the vehicle as it was traveling east on 5th Avenue NW and lost sight of it at 1st Avenue NW. The pursuit was then discontinued.
Throughout the pursuit, the vehicle traveled at various speeds from slow to a top speed of approximately 68 miles per hour on residential streets where the speed limit is 30 mph. The pursuit lasted 11 minutes and covered six miles. At approximately 6:34 A.M., Deputy LaCore contacted Witness 1 (an adult female). Witness 1 stated that the defendant had left her property about an hour prior. Witness 1 stated that the defendant was driving the suspect vehicle and advised that he was going to his cousin’s house.
