Colorado man steals pickup truck, arrested after chase in Lincoln County

LINCOLN, Nebraska (KLKN) – The Nebraska State Patrol SWAT team arrested a Colorado man Saturday following a chase near Brady, Nebraska.

The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office responded to reports of a vehicle fire on Interstate 80 near Hershey shortly after 1 p.m.

According to state police, a witness said the driver of the vehicle fled the scene of the accident.

The suspect, 32-year-old Abraham Pacheco, was seen breaking into and stealing a pickup truck with a trailer attached, state police said.

According to state police, Pacheco then ran over the owner of the pickup truck as he fled the scene of the accident.

Officials said the owner of the pickup truck suffered serious but not life-threatening injuries.

Officers began a pursuit in the eastbound lanes of I-80.

As Pacheco passed the North Platte exits, state police took over the pursuit.

According to state police, Pacheco then crossed the median and drove at a high rate of speed against the direction of travel in the westbound lanes.

Officials said Pacheco nearly struck a police officer and drove against the direction of traffic for several miles before exiting the interstate at Brady.

According to officials, Pacheco parked the pickup truck in a parking lot and fled on foot into a wooded area.

Police and sheriff’s deputies set up a perimeter and the NSP SWAT team was activated.

State police said drones and a helicopter were used to search the area.

After Pacheco was found, the SWAT team used a lightly armored vehicle and a tracking dog to track him to a muddy pond, state police said.

According to officials, the dog pulled Pacheco to the ground and he was taken into custody at 7:25 p.m.

Pacheco was held in the Lincoln County Jail on several charges.

The investigations are still ongoing.