On Thursday, April 11, 2024, at 10:00am, Marshalltown police officers were moving a mobile speed enforcement trailer that had been set up in the 800 block of May Street when they observed a vehicle driving towards them erratically. The vehicle was travelling 75mph in a 25mph zone.
Officers immediately attempted to stop the vehicle. The driver exited the vehicle and attempted to flee. The driver was located and taken into custody. The police department arrested Bryan Kenneth Smith, Jr., age 33, of Marshalltown. Mr. Smith, Jr., was charged with:
- Speeding
- Possession of a Controlled Substance – 1st Offense
- Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
Chief Tupper stated, “This incident clearly shows the value of speed enforcement cameras and the need for them. Speeding is a national epidemic. High speeds are becoming the norm. Speeding is a critical public safety issue and we need to leverage technology to our advantage to combat this problem. We are thankful officers were able to apprehend this offender and nobody was injured due to the driver’s reckless behavior.”
Mr. Smith, Jr. was taken to the Marshall County Jail and was subsequently released with a promise to appear in court at a later date.
(A criminal charge is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.)
For more information, please contact Police Chief Michael Tupper by calling 641.754.5771 or via email at mtupper@marshalltown-ia.gov.