LINCOLN — Troopers with the Nebraska State Patrol, working with both the Omaha Police Department and Lincoln Police Department, arrested two Lincoln men Thursday evening, following a pursuit that ended in Lincoln.
At approximately 11:10 p.m. Thursday, Omaha Police officers alerted troopers that a stolen Chevrolet Silverado was traveling westbound on Interstate 80 in Sarpy County. As troopers responded, OPD’s Able-1 followed the vehicle as it continued westbound on Interstate 80.
Troopers attempted a traffic stop, but the vehicle refused to yield and fled westbound at a high rate of speed. As the vehicle approached Lincoln, additional troopers were able to deploy stop sticks to slow the vehicle. The suspect vehicle exited I-80 at the Waverly interchange and began traveling westbound on Highway 6, toward Lincoln.
As the vehicle continued westbound on Highway 6, troopers again deployed stop sticks to successfully deflate all four tires. The truck continued to drive on its rims, many times driving through the ditch as well as in the eastbound lanes of Highway 6, before coming to a stop near 70th and Highway 6 in Lincoln.
All three occupants of the pickup were then taken into custody without further incident. The driver, Johnny Rodriguez, 33, of Lincoln, was arrested for flight to avoid arrest, willful reckless driving, theft by unlawful taking, and several traffic violations. One of the passengers, Torben Stone, 34, of Lincoln, was arrested for an outstanding warrant. Both men were lodged in Lancaster County Jail. A female passenger was released.