The ideal time to call the police and report your vehicle has been stolen is NOT when you're behind the wheel of the vehicle and police are pursuing you. That highly unlikely scenario happened in eastern Iowa earlier this week.

The Clinton County Sheriff's Department says 20-year-old Rachel Thornburg, pictured below, was behind the wheel of her 1998 Buick Century Tuesday morning when a deputy tried to stop the vehicle for speeding. Thornburg's license was under suspension and she sped away from authorities, failed to stop at stop signs, and went south into Scott County.

During the chase, Thornburg allegedly called authorities and said she'd left her keys in the vehicle and it had been stolen in the Clinton County town of Low Moor, population 288. Clinton County Sheriff Rick Lincoln said, "When she took off running and we got the call, we thought: 'Oh sure.'" Clearly, Thornburg thought she would be able to escape the chase. She didn't. The Iowa State Patrol ended up deploying deflation devices which flattened the tires of the car. Sure enough, Thornburg was behind the wheel.

Thornburg was booked into the Clinton County Jail on charges of driving with license under suspension, reckless driving, eluding, and speeding. She was released from jail yesterday (August 14), after posting $2,000 in bond.

Clinton County Jail
Clinton County Jail
loading...

More From 104-5 KDAT