Unrest in the Alliance and barricade incidents end with arrest

A man is in custody after riots and barricades broke out in Alliance on Friday evening, which ended peacefully after about two hours.

According to Alliance Police Chief David Leavitt, officers were called to the 500 block of W. 2nd Street around 7:22 p.m. for a disturbance resulting from an argument between Dylan Kaiser and a neighbor.

According to witnesses, Kaiser was involved in pushing and hitting the neighbor. When officers attempted to arrest Kaiser, he fled on foot and barricaded himself in the nearby Old Kaiser Tire Shop.

Leavitt said Kaiser may have been armed and made several alarming threats, including to neighbors that he would burn down the building and commit suicide.

As the situation escalated, additional units from the Nebraska Highway Patrol, Box Butte County Sheriff’s Office and the WING Task Force were called in. Leavitt said with the help of NSP negotiators, officers were able to deescalate the situation through direct communication with Kaiser over a two-hour period, and he surrendered peacefully shortly after 9 p.m.

Kaiser was taken to Box Butte County Hospital for evaluation. He faces charges including terroristic threats and resisting arrest.

In the APD press release, Leavitt said, “Alliance Police, working with assisting agencies and through effective communication and coordination, were able to safely resolve the situation.”

“I want to commend all officers involved in this operation. This was an extremely sensitive situation and I am proud of the professionalism of our officers and their ability to de-escalate the situation through effective communication. I am also grateful for our partnership with the Nebraska Highway Patrol, Box Butte County Sheriff’s Office and WING, who provided us with invaluable resources. Ensuring the safety of our community and everyone involved is our top priority.”