SIDNEY, Neb. — Troopers with the Nebraska State Patrol arrested two men early Tuesday morning following a high-speed pursuit involving a stolen pickup and multiple stolen firearms in Cheyenne County.

According to the state patrol, the incident began at approximately 12:45 a.m. MDT, when a trooper clocked a Chevrolet Silverado speeding eastbound on Interstate 80 near mile marker 64. The driver initially slowed when the trooper attempted a traffic stop but then accelerated to nearly 100 miles per hour, prompting a pursuit.

As the chase continued eastbound on the interstate, state patrol dispatch confirmed the pickup had been reported stolen. The driver exited the interstate at mile marker 76 and began traveling on rural roads south of I-80. During the pursuit, a passenger in the vehicle tossed a coat out of the window. A trooper recovered the coat and discovered two rifles and two handguns inside. All four weapons were later confirmed stolen.

After about 30 minutes, a trooper attempted a tactical vehicle intervention. The vehicle evaded the maneuver but eventually drove into a ditch in a nearby field and overturned. Troopers took all three occupants into custody at the scene and transported them to Sidney Regional Medical Center for evaluation.

The driver, identified as 22-year-old Edgar Bear Runner of South Dakota, was arrested on multiple charges including flight to avoid arrest, willful reckless driving, possession of stolen property and possession of a firearm by a prohibited person.

The passenger who threw the weapons, 33-year-old Richard Martinez, also of South Dakota, was arrested for tampering with physical evidence and possession of less than one ounce of marijuana. Both men were lodged in the Cheyenne County Jail.

A third occupant, Akieita Fasthorse, was arrested for felony possession of a stolen firearm.

Photo Courtesy: Little Tornado Towing
Photo Courtesy: Little Tornado Towing