Driver of vehicle in Sunday’s car chase arrested

By Kelly Terpstra, kterpstra@charlescitypress.com

The driver of a vehicle allegedly involved in an early Sunday morning car chase in Charles City has been apprehended.

Cortavius Benford, 22, of Charles City, was arrested at 8:22 p.m. Wednesday after officers located him at the Lantern Park Apartments in the 600 block of 11th Street. He was taken into custody after a short foot pursuit, police said. Benford had warrants out for his arrest in connection with the earlier car chase.

“You never know what their intention is if they’re running from you,” said Charles City Police Captain Brandon Franke.

Benford was wanted on charges stemming from allegedly leading law enforcement on a chase that started at 1:26 a.m. Sunday after an officer tried to stop him at the intersection of Blunt Street and North Main.

The chase continued on to South Main and ended in the parking lot of the Lantern Park Apartments, police said.

Benford and the vehicle’s passenger, Robert Coffer, 22, of Charles City, both fled on foot, police said. Coffer was arrested after officers caught him on foot. He was charged with interference with official acts.

Charles City Police Chief Hugh Anderson said an officer initially tried to pull over Benford for numerous traffic violations. The warrant for Benford’s arrest included failure to obey a traffic signal, unsafe turn, speeding, excessive window tint and eluding law enforcement.

After Benford’s arrest on Wednesday, a charge of interference with official acts as a result of allegedly running from officers on Wednesday was added. He was also wanted on a charge of interference with official acts after he allegedly fled officers after the car chase.

Police said a charge involving possession of illegal narcotics is pending.

The Floyd County Sheriff’s Office assisted in the car chase on Sunday morning.