CHAPMAN, NE — A Central Nebraska man is in custody after authorities say he escaped arrest and sparked a multi-agency manhunt northeast of Grand Island.

The Merrick County Sheriff’s Office says deputies responded to a report of a man attempting to break into an occupied house in the 300 block of Chapman Road late Sunday night. Deputies attempted to arrest 34-year-old Alexander Esquitin at the scene, but say he assaulted an officer and fled half-handcuffed. He was then seen attempting to break into a vehicle and running into a cornfield.

The Sheriff’s Office says deputies arrested Esquitin about five miles away near 4th and J Roads around 9:30 Monday morning.

The Howard County Sheriff’s Office, Nebraska State Patrol, Nance County Sheriff’s Office and Hall County Sheriff’s Office all assisted in searching for Esquitin.