High-Speed Chase Results in Early Morning Fiery Crash

SIDNEY-- At approximately 1 a.m. on October 3rd, 2024, Nebraska State Patrol Trooper C. Gibbons observed a silver Buick Lucerne with Colorado license plates that failed to stop at the intersection of link 17J and Chase Boulevard in Sidney. He attempted to conduct a traffic stop on the vehicle and the vehicle eventually came to a stop at the intersection of Old Post Road and Silverburg Drive. As Trooper Gibbons exited his patrol unit and approached the vehicle, the driver accelerated away from the traffic stop. Gibbons initiated a pursuit of the vehicle which was traveling at a high rate of speed within Sidney City Limits. The vehicle entered I-80 at the mile marker 59 East-bound on-ramp. The pursuit continued with speeds reaching approximately 130 miles per hour, and Trooper Gibbons observed the vehicle nearly collide with a semi trailer. The pursuit continued eastbound on Interstate 80 until approximately mile marker 67 where Trooper Gibbons observed the vehicle enter the median and turn around heading westbound I-80. After multiple TVI (tactical vehicle intervention) attempts, one was successful at approximately mile marker 3 on link 17J and the vehicle entered the east ditch and came to a complete stop. Trooper Gibbons as well as NSP Trooper Grabill quickly removed the occupants and placed them in custody. The driver was identified as 32 year old John Marshall Harmon. The front seat passenger was Kyrie Ann Riggle age 38, and the rear-seat passenger was identified as 22 year-old Dakota Schrecengost. During the search of Harmon's person, two plastic baggies with suspected methamphetamine were located and field tested with a presumptive positive result for methamphetamine.

A search of Riggle's person revealed multiple syringes with suspected methamphetamine residue to plastic baggies with suspected methamphetamine that positively field tested, and a glass methamphetamine pipe. A search of Schrecengost revealed an empty waistband holder for a handgun.

During a vehicle fire resulting from the crash, several rounds of ammunition were heard igniting. After the vehicle was deemed safe to approach, a loaded Smith & Wesson 38 Special revolver was found, located inside the vehicle behind the driver seat.

A criminal history check of all three occupants was conducted, revealing that all three subjects are convicted felons. Riggle advised that at times during the vehicle pursued both Harmon and Schrecengost had possession of the firearm. She also claimed that she requested to be let out of the vehicle but Harmon refused to stop the car. All three occupants were believed to be under the influence of methamphetamine.

The three individuals were taken into custody and booked at the Cheyenne County Jail. John Harmon was charged with felony flight to avoid and possession of a weapon during the commission of a felony. Kyrie Riggle was charged with possession of a controlled substance, methamphetamine, and Dakota Schrecengost, who had a warrant out for his arrest, was charged with unlawful possession of a firearm by a prohibited person.