Plymouth County pursuit of stolen car ends in Sioux City

On Dec. 5 at about 11:01 am, the Sioux City Police Department was notified that a deputy with the Plymouth County Sheriff's Office was in pursuit of a stolen vehicle and was heading towards Sioux City on Highway K12.

The fleeing car entered Sioux City at speeds of over 100 miles per hour. Officer with the department responded to the area and attempted to deploy tire deflation devices. Due to these efforts, the driver of the fleeing vehicle stopped the car and surrendered in the 3300 block of Military Rd.

Officers and deputies took 25-year-old Megan M. McMillim of North Sioux City, South Dakota into custody. She was transported to Plymouth County to be investigated for Operating While Intoxicated and charged there for the pursuit.

There was a 29-year-old passenger in the vehicle that was questioned and released without charges.

The car used in the pursuit was a 2011 Hyundai Sonata that was stolen on Nov. 23 from Sioux City's east side.

Increase in stolen cars, many with keys left them

There has been an increase in stolen cars reported as the weather gets colder. Between Oct. 1 and Nov. 12, there were 41 cars reported stolen. Of those, 22 were left running or the keys were left in them.

Most of the reported stolen cars were left running to warm up when they were taken. A few were left running as the owner ran into a business for a quick errand. These incidents are occurring all over town.

The department is strongly urging people to not leave their keys in their cars or leave them running and unsecured.

Luckily for most of the victims, their cars are recovered a short time later. Of the 41 cars stolen in this six-week period, 36 have been recovered.

People taking cars that are left running could be charged with Theft 2nd or Operating without Owner’s Consent.