Police chase leads to suspect's suicide

Press release from the Van Buren County Sheriff's Office On October 26, 2010 at approximately 5:00 p.m. the Van Buren Co. Sheriff's Office recieved a report of a gas drive off from the Doud's quickstop. A deputy responded, and located the vehicle travelling on Hwy. 1 north of Birmingham. The deputy attempted to stop the vehicle at which time a high speed pursuit began. The pursuit crossed into Jefferson county, and then came back into Van Buren County near Stockport. The pursuit ended in the northeast corner of Van Buren County near Willow Ave. where the suspect wrecked his vehicle, and ran off into a wooded area on foot. Responding officers from the Iowa State Patrol, Van Buren, Henry, and Jefferson counties quickly established a perimeter, and began seaching on foot. They were assisted by a police K9. At dark the search was called off without locating the suspect. Area residents were alerted to the possible presence of the suspect. The suspect's vehicle was impounded, and investigation into the matter revealed that Michael Anthony Vandekamp, 39, of Des Moines was likley the suspect. Investigating officers also learned that Vandekamp had a warrant for his arrest out of Polk County, Iowa for a probation violation. On October 28, 2010 at approximately 7:30 a.m. Vandekamp's body was discovered inside a building at a vacant farm not far from where he was last seen in the rural Stockport area. The body was sent to the State Medical Examiner's office for autopsy. At this time there is no indication of foul play, and the death appears to be a suicide.

Thu, 28 Oct 2010 20:01:17 GMT — undefined