Judge Denies Guilty Plea of Waterloo Man Because He Wouldn't Admit Guilt

By Trish Mehaffey, Reporter

Hiawatha Police Chief Dennis Marks points out damage Monday, Aug. 27, 2012 on one of the department's marked squad cars that was rammed by Bobby James Wolf, 31, of Waterloo during a chase on Saturday. Hiawatha had two squad cars damaged in the incident which represents one third of the department's marked units. (Brian Ray/The Gazette-KCRG)

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By Ellen Kurt

Story Created: Oct 30, 2012 at 2:28 PM CDT

Story Updated: Oct 30, 2012 at 2:28 PM CDT

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa - A judge wouldn't take a Waterloo man's guilty plea Tuesday for ramming three police cars in August during a high speed chase in Hiawatha because the man wouldn't admit to the crime.

Bobby Wolf, 31, of 2902 E. Schrock Road, was set to plead guilty to first-degree criminal mischief, attempt to elude and second-degree theft, all felonies, stemming from the chase in Hiawatha Aug. 25, but when the judge asked him if he intentionally rammed into the three police cars, he said "I don't remember much of what happened that day...but I was trying to get away."

"I'm going to stop right here," 6th Judicial District Senior Judge Thomas Koehler said. "We are done."

Tim Schemmel, Wolf's attorney, tried to explain that Wolf was intoxicated that day, but Koehler said the hearing was done. The judge said he could come back another day if he wanted to try again.

First Assistant Linn County Attorney Nick Maybanks said a defendant in pleading guilty must admit to the factual basis of the crime, which in this case would be admitting to causing the damages to the police cars.

As part of the plea agreement, Wolf also faces four misdemeanor charges, OWI and three counts of assault on a peace officer causing injury, which he had planned to plead guilty to in writing.

Maybanks said the plea agreement is still on the table if Wolf wants to plead guilty to the charges.

According to the criminal complaint, Wolf , driving a stolen Silverado truck belonging to Andersons Inc. in Waterloo, rammed the three police vehicles at Miller Road and Blairsferry Crossing in Hiawatha, after eluding police when they tried to stop him on Boyson Road.

Hiawatha Chief Dennis Marks said the damaged vehicles put a strain on the department's vehicle fleet. One vehicle was a total loss at $15,082 and the other vehicle damage totaled $6,172. Police equipment also had to be replaced in both vehicles. The vehicle that could be repaired is back in service but the new car is not on the streets yet because equipment still needs to be installed.