Lorimor man leads law enforcement on chase

The Union County Sheriff’s Office reports a Lorimor man suspected of child sexual assault, was taken into custody Saturday after a pursuit ended in a one-vehicle accident in Clarke County.

Dalton T. Barber, 33, of Lorimor, is being held in the Union County Jail on a Union County warrant for the charge of violation of pre-trial release. Barber was charged in 2022 with administering harmful substances, incest, lascivious acts with a child - fondle or touch, three counts of indecent contact with a child, two counts of second degree sex abuse - child under 12, two counts of lascivious acts with a child - child solicitation and two counts of child endangerment and was released while awaiting trial.

A warrant for Barber was issued in November by the Iowa Department of Correctional Services after Barber tested positive for methamphetamine use. Barber was also found to have cut off his tracking device, a condition of his pre-trial release.

On the morning of Saturday, Dec. 16 deputies from Union County observed a 2007 Land Rover, speeding near the Clarke County line on Yellow Rose Avenue, and followed the vehicle into Clarke County where it failed to stop at a stop sign.

Deputies, assisted by Iowa State Patrol, attempted to stop the Land Rover but the SUV did not stop, leading law enforcement in a pursuit reaching estimated speeds of 90-95 mph. The Land Rover crashed in a Clarke County field near Norman Street and the driver, identified as Barber, fled from the vehicle on foot. A female passenger was apprehended shortly after the crash.

Deputies from Union and Clarke counties deployed drones in the area in attempt to locate Barber in the afternoon but were unsuccessful. Around 6 p.m. Clarke County took Barber into custody and transported him to the county line where he was released to the custody of Union County deputies who transported him to the Union County Jail.

The Union County Sheriff says additional charges related to the pursuit are pending.