By Captain Brian E. Wasson, Scottsbluff Police Department
A Scottsbluff Police Officer on Patrol in east Scottsbluff observed a parked vehicle that he suspected may be operated by a subject whom had a local warrant for his arrest.
The officer later observed the vehicle mobile in the area of his initial observation and attempted to catch up to the vehicle to identify any occupants.
The vehicle was a black 2003 Saturn Ion.
While the officer attempted to observe the vehicle, it began to accelerate a high rate of speed. The vehicle was obviously eluding the officer and eventually reached speeds in excess of 40 mph above the posted limit on E 20th Street east of 11th Avenue. Due to heavy vehicular traffic, the speed of the fleeing vehicle and the lack of knowledge of the occupants the pursuit was terminated.
The vehicle had been observed being operated recklessly after the pursuit had been terminated. Some of these observers went to an area where they suspected this reckless vehicle may have fled to and located the vehicle stuck in mud after it had been driving some distance into a corn field.
The cornfield was located in the northeast part of Scottsbluff.
These subjects observed what they thought to be a subject in the vehicle however were not able to provide a description of this person. When officers arrived to the report from these citizens the vehicle was unoccupied and a search with officers and a K-9 did not locate a suspect.
The vehicle was impounded and removed from the scene.
Other police department personnel searching for a suspect in the area did contact a male north of the area where the vehicle was recovered. This male was covered in mud and admitted that he had been an occupant of the vehicle, but not the driver. Due to a lack of evidence this subject was later released without charges. This investigation is ongoing.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Stoppers at (308) 632-STOP (7867) or the Scottsbluff Police Department at (308) 436-5088.
Scottsbluff Police were assisted by the Scotts Bluff County Sheriff’s Office, Gering Police Department, and Nebraska Game and Parks Law Enforcement.