Man accused in Waverly chase held on $500,000 bond

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — A man accused of ramming law enforcement vehicles after a chase in Waverly was charged Thursday with five felonies.

Trenton Engel, 34, of Pleasant Dale is facing charges of second-degree assault, use of a deadly weapon to commit a felony, operating a motor vehicle to avoid arrest, resisting arrest using a deadly weapon and criminal mischief.

Lancaster County Judge Matt Acton set his bond at $500,000. He must pay $50,000 to be released.

SEE ALSO: Trooper who fired shot after pursuit in Waverly is placed on administrative leave

On Tuesday, a woman told authorities that she was trying to get away from Engel, who had threatened to kill her.

Deputies found Engel near Frontier Cooperative in Waverly and tried to pull him over, but court documents say he sped off, “causing a large plume of black smoke” to come out of his exhaust pipe.

Deputies said Engel led them on a five-minute chase through Waverly, driving over curbs and through fields.

SEE ALSO: Trooper fires shot after chase in Waverly; man rammed cruisers, sheriff’s office says

He was brought to a stop on Highway 6 near Amberly Road but then started ramming his pickup into a Nebraska State Patrol vehicle, according to an arrest affidavit.

The trooper in the cruiser fired their gun but didn’t hit Engel.

Authorities said Engel kept ramming their vehicles until they used Tasers, pepper balls and foam projectiles to stop him.

Engel’s next court hearing is scheduled for Nov. 14.