Troopers arrest Kearney man accused of stealing car, attempted burglary, fleeing arrest

GIBBON, NE — A Kearney man is behind bars after state troopers say he lead them on a chase late Sunday evening.

The Buffalo County Sheriff’s Office notified the Nebraska State Patrol of a stolen vehicle involved in an attempted burglary at a convenience store near Gibbon. Troopers say they tried to stop the vehicle just after 11:00 p.m. on Highway 10 near Kilgore Road, but it fled.

The troopers pursued for a few minutes before the vehicle stopped and the driver ran off into a field. They found the driver shortly after and arrested him. Joshua Lester, 33, of Kearney, was booked on suspicion of flight to avoid arrest, theft, obstruction of a peace officer, and driving under suspension. He was lodged in Buffalo County Jail.