Four Arrested After Cedar Rapids Car Chase, Weapons Charge

Four people were arrested after a car chase and reported display of weapons Sunday night in southwest Cedar Rapids.

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According to the Cedar Rapids Police Department, officers were called around 7:38 PM on August 23rd after receiving several 911 calls about two vehicles involved in a chase in the 1500 block of 8th Street SW. When officers arrived, they found both vehicles damaged; one had been run off the road.

Witnesses reported that one driver ran their vehicle into the other, forcing that vehicle into a tree. Several people were involved in the incident. After interviewing those involved and continuing their investigation, officers arrested four people and took them to the Linn County Jail.

Jaylan Bentley, 26, of Cedar Rapids, was arrested on charges of child endangerment, reckless driving, driving the wrong way on a one-way road, and having no valid driver's license.
Lamya Wright, 27, also of Cedar Rapids, was arrested on a child endangerment charge.
Lawrence Jefferson, 30, of Matteson, Illinois, was arrested on a charge of intimidation with a weapon and also had an outstanding warrant.
Lamonra O'Neal, 25, of Matteson, was arrested on charges of child endangerment, obstruction of prosecution, failure to use child safety restraints, reckless driving and driving the wrong way on a one-way road.

The possible penalties will depend on the exact charges filed in court and the circumstances prosecutors are able to prove. Under Iowa Code section 726.6, child endangerment can be charged at different levels depending on what happened and whether the child suffered an injury. In more serious cases, the charge can be a felony.

Intimidation-with-a-weapon charge could also carry significant penalties. Iowa Code section 708.6 allows the offense to be charged as either a Class C or Class D felony, depending on the circumstances. A Class C felony can carry up to 10 years in prison, while a Class D felony can carry up to five years.

An obstruction-of-prosecution charge is an aggravated misdemeanor under Iowa Code section 719.3. Aggravated misdemeanors in Iowa can carry up to two years in prison and a fine. The remaining traffic-related charges are generally lower-level offenses and typically involve fines, although the exact penalties depend on the specific violation and the defendant's circumstances.

Police said the investigation is ongoing. The department is asking anyone with information about the incident to contact Linn County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-272-7463. Callers can remain anonymous and may even be eligible for a reward. As with any criminal case, an arrest is only an accusation. All four defendants are presumed innocent unless and until they are proven guilty.