Helicopter helps Nebraska troopers in two Lincoln chases over the weekend

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – The Nebraska State Patrol has arrested three people after pursuits over the weekend.

On Friday at 9:30 p.m., a trooper tried to pull over a Ford Fusion on Highway 6 that was swerving and driving without lights on.

As the trooper approached, the driver sped up and fled toward Lincoln, according to the patrol.

The state patrol helicopter began tracking the vehicle immediately, so the trooper on the ground did not pursue.

Pilots tracked the vehicle to a parking lot near 70th and A streets.

Mohammed Alhasan

A trooper tried to approach the car, but the driver fled again, the patrol said.

The vehicle stopped a short time later at a house near 70th and O streets.

The driver, 24-year-old Mohammed Alhasan, was lodged in the Lancaster County Jail on suspicion of  several charges, including willful reckless driving, flight to avoid arrest and fourth-offense DUI.

A couple hours later, about 12:30 a.m. Saturday, a trooper saw two motorcycles driving with no lights or license plates near 70th and O streets.

The trooper attempted a traffic stop, but the two bikes fled north on 70th Street, according to the patrol.

When the trooper started chasing them, the riders separated.

A 16-year-old boy was soon taken into custody by the trooper, but the other rider fled into a nearby neighborhood.

The patrol’s helicopter picked up the pursuit from the air and directed troopers to an area near 63rd and Garland streets.

The rider, 19-year-old Amir Al-Zayadi, had come to a stop there.

Al-Zayadi was arrested on suspicion of careless driving, flight to avoid arrest and traffic violations and was taken to the Lancaster County Jail.

The 16-year-old was lodged in Lancaster County Youth Services.