Mason City man pleads not guilty to high-speed chase, theft charges

MASON CITY — A Mason City man accused of leading authorities on a high-speed chase after stealing a vehicle in late December has pleaded not guilty.

A criminal complaint accuses 27-year-old Casey Daughenbaugh of unlawfully taking a 2010 Dodge Charger from the 300 block of North Federal on December 28th. Authorities say after he was observed driving the stolen vehicle, he led law enforcement on a high-speed chase, with Daughenbaugh’s vehicle reaching speeds of 80 miles per hour while in a posted 35 mile per hour zone. Daughenbaugh eventually crashed the vehicle into a tree and was taken to the hospital for medical treatment.

Daughenbaugh was charged with: first-degree theft, a Class C felony; eluding, a Class D felony; driving while barred, an aggravated misdemeanor; as well as the serious misdemeanors of possession of marijuana first offense and operating while intoxicated first offense.

Daughenbaugh filed a written plea of not guilty on Monday in Cerro Gordo County District Court, with his trial scheduled to start on April 1st.