Collaborative work between the Nebraska State Patrol and Omaha Police Department led to several arrests after recent pursuits in the Omaha metro. Troopers made arrests in four separate pursuits in the last ten days, thanks in part to an eye in the sky from OPD’s Able 1 helicopter and the NSP helicopter.
“Each of these incidents resulted in a safe conclusion with an arrest thanks to aviation support,” said Captain Eric Kauffman, Commander of NSP Troop A. “The seamless communication between our troopers and partner agencies is vital to public safety, and that teamwork was on full display in the last couple weeks in Troop A.”
The first pursuit began late Monday, August 24, when a trooper attempted to stop a motorcycle that was traveling at approximately 90 MPH in a 55 MPH zone on Dodge near 114th Street before turning onto southbound I-680. The rider refused to stop and the pursuit ensued. Able 1 quickly picked up the pursuit from the air and tracked the rider, even as the rider tried to hide behind a semi traveling on I-80. The rider eventually stopped at a residence, where troopers and OPD officers arrested the rider for willful reckless driving, flight to avoid arrest, and no motorcycle license.
Another pursuit occurred at approximately 1:30 a.m., Saturday, August 29, when a trooper saw a sedan driving at over 100 MPH on I-80 near 42nd Street. The trooper attempted a traffic stop, but the driver refused to yield an accelerated to over 120 MPH. Able 1 took over the pursuit from the air as the driver exited onto northbound I-680. OPD pilots followed the vehicle until it stopped at a residence, where troopers made the arrest. The driver was arrested for willful reckless driving, flight to avoid arrest, minor in possession of alcohol, open alcohol container, and zero tolerance alcohol violation.
Sunday, August 30, at approximately 1:45 a.m., NSP was advised the Washington County deputies had just discontinued pursuit of a vehicle traveling southbound on Highway 133 toward Omaha. Able 1 pilots located the vehicle and directed troopers to the area. A trooper attempted a traffic stop near 66th and Seward Streets. The driver refused to yield and Able 1 continued following from the air. The driver stopped near 69th and Western Avenue. The trooper discovered there were four children in the vehicle, along with the driver and an adult passenger. The driver was arrested for reckless driving, flight to avoid arrest, false imprisonment, four charges of child abuse – no injury, and no operator’s license.
Lastly, Wednesday evening at approximately 8:45 p.m., a trooper saw a motorcycle traveling at approximately 90 MPH on I-680. The trooper attempted a traffic stop, but the rider refused to stop. Troopers in the NSP helicopter took over the pursuit from the air immediately and followed for approximately 20 minutes before the rider stopped at a park in Bennington. The rider was arrested for willful reckless driving and flight to avoid arrest.
“Each of these incidents highlights the partnership of troopers, officers, and deputies on the ground with the force multiplying effect of NSP and OPD aviation units,” said Captain Kauffman. “These arrests are part of a large team effort which includes our troopers, OPD officers, and Douglas County deputies. This teamwork is aimed at removing dangerous drivers from the road and making streets safer for everyone.”
###