Troopers with the Nebraska State Patrol have arrested three people following a pursuit in western Nebraska.

At approximately 7:50 p.m. MT Tuesday, a trooper observed a Ford F-150 driving with a license plate violation on Highway 385 near Bridgeport. As the trooper attempted a traffic stop, the driver accelerated and fled northbound on Highway 385. The trooper initiated a pursuit.

The vehicle fled westbound on Link 62A, driving in the wrong lane of travel. After approximately two miles, the driver pulled into a residential driveway and came to a stop. The male driver then fled on foot and a female passenger remained in the vehicle. She was taken into custody without incident.

Additional troopers, Morrill County deputies, and a Gering Police Department K9 unit assisted in a search of the area. During the search, troopers located a man in the sleeper berth of a disabled semi cab. The man exited the sleeper, and the driver of the F-150 was located under the bed of the sleeper. Both men were taken into custody. Inside the F-150, troopers located two sets of brass knuckles and suspected methamphetamine.

The driver, Thomas Tagg, 42, of Denver, was arrested for flight to avoid arrest, willful reckless driving, possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of a deadly weapon by a prohibited person, obstructing a peace officer, and numerous traffic offenses. The passenger, Corie Kolthoff, 36, of Brighton, Colorado, was arrested for possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, carrying a concealed weapon with no disclosure, and obstructing a peace officer. The third person, Benjamin Franklin, 27, of Mitchell, Nebraska, was arrested for obstructing a peace officer and aiding and abetting a felony.

All three were lodged in Morrill County Jail.

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