Man arrested after 150-mile pursuit through multiple counties in northeast Nebraska

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.

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, 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.

Authorities said Kocian faces additional charges in multiple counties across northeast Nebraska.

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