One Arrested After Multi-County Aerial Pursuit in Eastern Nebraska

Omaha — A multi-agency effort led to an arrest after a lengthy pursuit in eastern Nebraska Saturday.

At approximately 6:55 p.m. Saturday, a trooper attempted a traffic stop on a Ford Fusion for failing to stop at a stop sign near Gretna. As the trooper attempted to stop the vehicle, the driver refused to yield and accelerated. The driver fled northbound on Highway 6 through Gretna. The trooper initiated a pursuit.

The Omaha Police Department’s Able-1 was in the area and took over the pursuit from the air, while units on the ground discontinued. Able-1 pilots continued following the vehicle as it continued speeding northbound on Highway 6. The vehicle eventually turned westbound on West Q Road and then continued westbound on Highway 92 into Saunders County.

The pursuit continued for over an hour, traveling through Saunders County and eventually Lancaster County. The NSP AirWing took over for OPD’s Able-1 tracking the vehicle as it traveled southbound on Highway 79 towards Lincoln. Lancaster County deputies successfully deployed stop sticks to bring the vehicle to a stop on Highway 79 just north of Highway 34. The driver was taken into custody without further incident.

The driver, Juan Avant, 42, of Memphis, Tennessee, was arrested for flight to avoid arrest, willful reckless driving, tampering with physical evidence, possession of a controlled substance, and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was lodged in Sarpy County Jail.

Troopers were assisted by the Omaha Police Department, Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office, and Saunders County Sheriff’s Office during this investigation.