Carthage man arrested after going 126 mph on motorcycle; had outstanding warrants in two Iowa counties

CARTHAGE, Ill. — A Carthage man was arrested Monday after being clocked going 126 miles per hour on his motorcycle, and he also had outstanding warrants out of Lee County, Iowa, and Des Moines County, Iowa.

At around 2:12 p.m. Monday, the Hancock County Sheriff’s Department received a report of a reckless driver east bound on U.S. 136 entering Elvaston. The vehicle determined to be a motorcycle, and the rider was described as wearing a bright yellow coat. It was reported that the motorcycle was travelling at a high rate of speed and improperly passing other vehicles.

Deputies locked the motorcycle on radar at 126 miles per hour as it was travelling east bound just west of Carthage city limits. The rider fled into the city of Carthage, where the motorcycle had a mechanical issue. The rider then fled on foot from deputies. 

The rider was located near the scene and placed under arrest. The rider was identified as Octavius S. Whitaker, 27, of Carthage. Whitaker was lodged in the Hancock County Jail, where he was charged with misdemeanor speeding, aggravated fleeing/eluding, improper overtaking and driving while license suspended.