KEOKUK (WGEM) — A Keokuk man stole a dump truck Monday night, causing him to wreck two parked cars and damage several headstones at Oakland Cemetery, according to Keokuk police.

At 8:26 p.m., an officer observed a white dump truck with a trailer loaded with a small excavator driving erratically near 12th and Main Street.

The officer initiated a traffic stop, but the driver pursued the officer throughout Keokuk and continued east on Timea Street.

Police say the driver was exceeding 40 mph on Timea Street. At the corner of 16th and Timea, the driver skidded and lost control of the trailer and excavator. They said the excavator landed on two parked cars, totaling them.

According to police, the driver drove to Oakland Cemetery, where he drove the dump truck over several gravestones. At the cemetery, officers were able to block the driver, preventing the pursuit from continuing.

Police arrested 48-year-old Joseph Leeper of Keokuk without further incident.

After investigating, officers determined that Leeper had entered a building and stolen the keys to the dump truck.

During the pursuit, Leeper also damaged a power pole and a mailbox. According to police, no one was injured in the incident.

Leeper was charged with third-degree burglary (a class D felony), first-degree theft (a class C felony), fleeing a second or subsequent offense, driving without a license, and possession of drug paraphernalia. Leeper also received 23 traffic violations.

The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information should call 319-524-2741.

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