Troopers arrest three people after chase in rural Nebraska

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — Three people were arrested Tuesday after a chase in western Nebraska.

About 1:40 p.m., a trooper on Interstate 80 saw a Kia Soul that was sought in connection with a theft investigation in Lexington, according to the Nebraska State Patrol.

The trooper tried to pull over the vehicle about halfway between Cozad and Gothenburg, but the Kia sped off, the patrol said.

The vehicle topped 100 mph before getting off I-80 and driving into Gothenburg, according to the patrol.

At that point, the trooper called off the pursuit out of concern for public safety.

Another trooper soon saw the Kia going west on Highway 30 and gave chase again.

The patrol said the driver — 37-year-old Steven Conner of Omaha — led the trooper north on Road 409.

The vehicle eventually came to a stop in a field several miles northeast of Gothenburg, according to the patrol.

Troopers said two people got out and ran.

Law enforcement searched with drones, a dog and a helicopter and eventually found them at a nearby farmstead.

Conner was arrested on suspicion of flight to avoid arrest, willful reckless driving, obstructing a peace officer and outstanding warrants.

His passenger, a 24-year-old Omaha woman, was arrested on charges including criminal mischief and an outstanding misdemeanor warrant.

Investigators said they discovered that Conner dropped off another person at a farmhouse west of Gothenburg.

Troopers found that passenger, a 29-year-old Omaha woman, walking on Highway 30 and arrested her on suspicion of obstructing a peace officer.