High speed chase ends in Antelope County

A South Dakota man is in custody following a multi-county case that ended near the U.S. Highway 20 and Nebraska Highway 14 junction, between Royal and Brunswick.

The incident began at approximately 7:30 a.m. Monday, when Cedar County Sheriff's Office fielded a phone call about an individual threatening suicide and were told it was possible the individual crossed state lines and was in Nebraska.

"We pinged the phone to find a location," Nebraska State Patrol Troop B Captain Paul Hattan said.

Cedar County authorities made contact with the individual, who was traveling west on U.S. 20.

"He was traveling at high rates of speed, taking other cars head on," Hattan said.

Law enforcement used spike strips to deflate tires on the right side of the vehicle at approximately 9:10 a.m., according to Hattan.

Once the vehicle drove over the stop sticks, officers implemented a tactical vehicle intervention, with the suspect taken into custody. He is currently housed at the Antelope County Law Enforcement Center, in Neligh.

Calls were made to schools in towns along the route, alerting them to the potential danger.

"We told them they were possibly in the path and to go into lockdown," Hattan said. "The vehicle never stopped (in those towns), but the driver posed a danger to the public as he was driving."

Hattan said officers found several weapons inside the vehicle once the suspect was taken into custody.

Charges are pending at this time. According to Hattan, Antelope County's attorney will serve as primary prosecutor since the arrest took place here.

"Most likely, attorneys in all counties involved will work together to file charges," Hattan added.

Traffic along U.S. Highway 20, in Antelope County, was rerouted for a time.

In addition to the Nebraska State Patrol, the Antelope County Sheriff's office, Pierce County Sheriff's office, Cedar County Sheriff's office and Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, as well as several town police departments, assisted.