Three Suspects Arrested After Des Moines Police Pursuits
Authorities took three individuals into custody following separate high-speed vehicle chases through the city.
Updated on Sept. 28, 2026 in Law Enforcement
Live Poll
Do you support police using high-speed chases to apprehend suspects in your area?
Des Moines police arrested three people following a series of vehicle pursuits that occurred throughout the late night and early morning hours. Each suspect was taken into custody after law enforcement intervened in separate incidents.
Why it matters
These incidents highlight the ongoing efforts by local law enforcement to mitigate public safety risks posed by motorists who engage in high-speed flight from police. The series of events resulted in property damage and initiated multiple criminal proceedings.
Eric Hernandez, Royal Buchanan, and Jayden Erdman were arrested and booked into the Polk County Jail. Each suspect currently faces charges including felony eluding, with additional counts ranging from reckless driving to drug possession.
The players
Eric Hernandez
He is a 37-year-old suspect arrested on charges of felony eluding and driving while barred.
Royal Buchanan
He is an 18-year-old suspect accused of felony eluding and reckless driving after a collision.
Jayden Erdman
He is an 18-year-old suspect taken into custody for felony eluding and possession of marijuana.
The details
The string of pursuits involved diverse tactics, including a police-executed PIT maneuver to end the first chase and a foot pursuit following a crash into a utility pole during the second event. The final incident concluded at Southridge Mall after a vehicle pursuit transitioned into a foot chase.
Timeline
The first pursuit began after 10:30 p.m. Sunday.
The second pursuit began before 1:30 a.m. Monday.
The third pursuit began after 2:30 a.m. Monday.
Legal Context
These arrests reflect standard enforcement of the Iowa Code section on felony eluding, which mandates strict criminal penalties for motorists who flee from law enforcement. The incident cycle underscores the legal threshold required for filing felony charges in the state.
Residents should remain aware that these pursuits resulted in significant property damage and required emergency responses in residential and commercial areas. Local police continue to prioritize public safety in the wake of the multiple late-night incidents.
The takeaway
Drivers are reminded that attempting to evade police creates life-threatening risks and leads to severe criminal consequences. Motorists should always pull over safely when signaled by law enforcement to avoid the potential for high-speed escalation.
Further reading
Learn more about local Law Enforcement procedures and police activity in the region.
Live Poll
Do you support police using high-speed chases to apprehend suspects in your area?
