ALLIANCE -- At about 4:40 a.m. today, the Alliance Communications Center received a call of a theft.

The call came from a resident in the 1600 block of Boise Avenue.  The caller stated that tools had been stolen from the back of his truck and additional items had been taken from a shed located behind the residence. The caller was alerted to the theft when his motion-activated security cameras detected movement.

By the time Sergeant Grumbles arrived on scene, the caller had located a large cart filled with tools near 16th Street and Buchfink Avenue. As Sergeant Grumbles approached, a male on a small motorcycle -- matching the description provided by the caller -- sped away from the area. The caller had previously observed the same suspect on his security footage.

Sergeant Grumbles attempted to stop the motorcycle, but the rider fled, and a pursuit ensued. The sergeant noted that a small bag of tools appeared to be strapped to the back of the motorcycle. The pursuit continued over the 10th Street overpass and ended on Otoe Road near County Road 65, where the suspect lost control of the motorcycle, went into a ditch, and fled on foot. Sergeant Grumbles pursued the suspect in his patrol vehicle for a short distance before the suspect surrendered and was taken into custody without further incident.

“Many cities have a ‘no pursuit’ policy. Alliance is not one of those cities. If you commit a crime in our town, we will chase you down, and we will lock you up,” said Alliance Police Chief David Leavitt.

The suspect, Blaze Chalupa, 24, of Alliance, was transported to the Alliance Police Department where he was interviewed by officers. Chalupa admitted to the theft of tools, the burglary of the shed, and to possessing additional stolen property at his residence. He further stated that he intended to attach the cart filled with tools to his motorcycle and tow it back to his residence. Chalupa told investigators that he planned to sell the stolen tools to make money because he owed an individual a large sum of money for selling him fake methamphetamine.

Officers are conducting a search warrant at the suspect’s home and expect to recover more stolen property, possibly belonging to additional victims who have not yet been identified.

Chalupa is currently being held at the Box Butte County Jail without bond on the following charges:

• Theft

• Operating a Motor Vehicle to Avoid Arrest

• Willful Reckless Driving

• Burglary

• Possession of Burglary Tools

This remains an active investigation, and additional charges may be forthcoming. If you have recently experienced a theft or burglary involving tools, please contact the Alliance Police Department at 308-762-4955.