STANTON COUNTY, Neb. (KOLN) – A man was arrested early Monday morning after leading authorities on a more than 150-mile pursuit through multiple counties in northeast Nebraska.
The Stanton County Sheriff’s Office joined in on the pursuit that began over an alleged theft in O’Neill around 2 a.m.
The driver of the fleeing vehicle led multiple Nebraska law enforcement agencies through Holt, Antelope and Pierce counties before they were spotted entering Norfolk, the sheriff’s office said. Authorities attempted to use stop sticks on the vehicle, but the driver avoided them by driving into yards.
According to the sheriff’s office, the driver called into Norfolk Police Department communications during the pursuit and made comments about refusing to stop. He also allegedly threatened law enforcement that was actively pursuing him.
Advertisement
The pursuit continued into Stanton County on Highway 275, where the driver rammed a Stanton County Sheriff’s patrol unit causing it to spin out. Authorities made another attempt to stop the vehicle near Pilger but was again unsuccessful.
West Point Police eventually successfully slowed down the vehicle using stop sticks as it approached the city, and it began to lose a front tire, according to the sheriff’s office. However, despite their efforts, the driver continued east on Highway 275.
A Good Samaritan semi-truck driver nearly stopped the vehicle on the Elkhorn River bridge by blocking the highway, but the driver squeezed by and continued into Dodge County, losing a second tire, and then into Washington County.
The pursuit eventually came to an end in Blair, and the driver was taken into custody at gunpoint by the Stanton County Sheriff’s Office with assistance from the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, Nebraska State Patrol and police from Blair and Beemer.
Tyler Kocian(Stanton County Sheriff’s Office | Stanton County Sheriff’s Office)
Tyler Kocian, 28, of West Point, was booked into the Washington County Jail and charged in Stanton County with with speeding, operating a motor vehicle to avoid arrest, assault on a police officer, use of a weapon to commit a felony, criminal mischief and terroristic threats.
Advertisement
Authorities said Kocian faces additional charges in multiple counties across northeast Nebraska.
Click here to subscribe to our 10/11 NOW daily digest and breaking news alerts delivered straight to your email inbox.
Nebraska has added a secondary commitment to the 2027 class, safety/cornerback Brennan Drummond. Drummond, from Charlotte (N.C.) Providence Day School, made an official visit to Nebraska on June 12 and to Georgia this weekend. He is a three-star recruit and the No. 118 safety in the country, according to the Rivals Industry ranking.
Drummond’s style of play in the secondary is a great fit for Nebraska’s new defensive coordinator, Rob Aurich. Drummond wants an aggressive defensive approach that will bring pressure from multiple spots on the football field.
“This Nebraska staff wants to attack blocks, stop the run, and create confusion with pressure, movement, and multiple fronts, and my game is a natural fit,” Drummond said.
Another reason Drummond is a great fit for Aurich’s defense is his versatility. Drummond played cornerback last season, which he admits is out of position, but he does have the ability to cover, which could lead to getting a look at nickel as well as safety.
Advertisement
“I’m a downhill, physical strong safety who can play near the box, support the run, and rotate into coverage when needed,” Drummond said. “My strengths are versatility and physicality. I played out of position last year at corner, but it helped with my coverage ability.”
Drummond is the 20th commitment for the Huskers in the 2027 class. Nebraska has commitments from four-star safeties Tory Pittman of Millard North in Omaha (Neb.) and Corey Hadley of Sandy Creek in Tyrone (Ga.).
The Nebraska Department of Revenue, Property Assessment Division (DOR), reminds property owners that the Nebraska Homestead Exemption Application, Form 458, and all required forms and documentation must be filed with their county assessor on or before June 30, 2026.
The homestead exemption provides relief from property taxes by exempting all or a portion of the taxable value of the residence.
The State of Nebraska reimburses counties and other governmental subdivisions for the property taxes lost due to homestead exemptions.
Advertisement
In Nebraska, a homestead exemption is available to the following categories of property owners:
Persons age 65 or older before January 1, 2026;
Qualified disabled individuals; or
Qualified disabled veterans and their surviving spouses.
Some categories are subject to household income and residence valuation limitations. The income limitations are on a sliding scale based on filing status and homestead exemption category.
Homestead exemption forms and information are available at revenue.nebraska.gov/PAD/homestead-exemption. For more information on the homestead exemption program, please contact your county assessor or DOR at 888-475-5101.
