Iowa Code § 663.16: Power of officer.

If the defendant hides, or refuses admittance to the person attempting to serve the writ, or if the defendant attempts wrongfully to carry the plaintiff out of the county or the state after the service of the writ, the sheriff, or the person who is attempting to serve or who has served it, is authorized to arrest the defendant and bring the defendant, together with the plaintiff, forthwith before the officer or court before whom the writ is made returnable.