DES MOINES, Iowa — A police chase on Friday morning resulted in the arrest of a December armed robbery suspect.

At around 11 a.m. a 911 call came in reporting that there were two masked suspects stealing a pickup truck in the 1500 block of East Diehl Avenue, the DMPD said. By the time officers arrived at the scene the truck was gone.

Roughly an hour later, the DMPD said another 911 caller reported seeing “suspicious activity” in the 800 block of Vale Street, which included two masked individuals moving between a vehicle that matched the description of the stolen truck and another vehicle.

Responding officers located the stolen truck at the intersection of SE 9th Street and Vale Street, but when they got close to the truck it sped off, the DMPD said.

An 11-minute pursuit ensued and eventually ended when the truck crashed in the 1000 block of County Line Road. According to the DMPD, the driver, 18-year-old Brayan Lopez, was taken into custody at the scene, but his passenger fled on foot. Officers located the passenger, identified as a 15-year-old, in the AH Blank Golf Course and took the teen into custody.

According to the DMPD, Lopez was wanted for his alleged role in a December 2024 robbery on the city’s eastside. Police said Lopez, who was armed with a rifle, and two other people entered an occupied residence and robbed those inside, taking their handguns and shoes.

Police were also searching for Lopez in connection to the February shooting death of Armando Cruz Lorenzo. The DMPD said Lopez knew Cruz Lorenzo, and it’s believed that Lopez may have information regarding his death. No charges or arrests have been made in connection to Cruz Lorenzo’s death.

Lopez is facing charges of first-degree theft, eluding, interference with official acts, and first-degree robbery. The 15-year-old has been referred to juvenile court for a charge of interference with official acts.

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