A K-9 unit and an Iowa State Patrol airplane were used in the apprehension of the driver of a stolen vehicle near the area of Rock Creek West Sunday morning, after the male subject drove off-road through a heavily wooded area and into an open field.

The Jasper County Sheriff's Office is reporting today that 26-year-old Jonathan L. Gardner of Ames was charged with driving while license revoked, driving while license suspended, interference with official acts and eluding law enforcement. Court records show Gardner was also wanted in Story County for failure to appear in court on dangerous drugs and possession of precursors.

According to the department report, a suspicious vehicle was reported in the Kellogg area at 7:44 a.m. by retired Jasper County Sheriff's Deputy and current county supervisor Denny Stevenson. The sheriff's department later confirmed the vehicle as stolen. Sheriff Mike Balmer said in the statement that when deputies arrived, Gardner drove off the roadway near Rock Creek Beach and into the timber. He was tracked through the woods, and eventually found hiding in a fence line near an open field by Jasper County Reserve Deputy Marsha Patterson and her K-9 Kirby.

Officers from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Grinnell Police Department and Marshall County Sheriff's Office assisted in the search. Gardner was arrested and taken to the Jasper County Jail. His bond has been set at $25,000.

Sheriff's office officials said they are still attempting to locate the owner of the stolen vehicle. 

Mike Mendenhall can be contacted at (641) 792-3121 ext. 422 or via email at mmendenhall@newtondailynews.com.