Subject remains at large after eluding pursuit

A male subject remains at large today after eluding law enforcement officers Monday evening.

Just after 11 p.m. Monday, a Nebraska State Patrol trooper made a traffic stop on Hwy. 30 near Chappell. When the trooper approached the vehicle, the driver sped off.

State Patrol Lt. Kevin Krzyzanowski said the trooper gave chase, but ended the pursuit after the driver made a u-turn and headed into the east side of Chappell at high speeds.

Approximately 30 minutes later the trooper re-contacted the vehicle near the L17J access road near Sidney and re-established pursuit, along with two Sidney Police Department officers. The pursuit went on to Interstate 80 west bound, until the vehicle exited the interstate at mile marker 48 near Brownson.

The vehicle travelled southbound on County Road 95 for a short way before running off the road. Krzyzanowski said by the time officers reached the vehicle, the driver was not seen.

Several agencies, including the Cheyenne and Kimball County Sheriff's offices, Sidney P.D. and the State Patrol mounted a search for the subject, who was not found. Krzyzanowski said in a search of the vehicle, a number of IDs were found, as well as a suspected meth pipe, suspected methamphetamine, and a hand gun.

Early the following morning the Cheyenne County Sheriff's office received a report of a stolen pickup in the general area, approximately four miles away from where the pursuit ended. The vehicle was a 1997 turquoise GMC Sierra pickup with Nebraska plate 39-97R.

That day, Kimball schools were closed and Potter-Dix schools were on lockdown with the subject still at large.

Since then, area law enforcement offices have followed up on a number of reports, without locating the subject.

The Cheyenne County Attorney's office released a statement Wednesday, saying "As the suspect search continues, Cheyenne County law enforcement officials are working with law enforcement agencies in nearby counties to expand the search area. It is likely that the suspect has left Cheyenne County. So persons inside and outside of Cheyenne County having information about suspicious activity are encouraged to contact one of their local law enforcement agencies. The law enforcement phone numbers for persons living in Cheyenne County are: Cheyenne County Sheriff (308) 254-2922; Sidney Police Department (308) 254-5515; Nebraska State Patrol (308) 632-1211.