Man arrested after central Nebraska pursuit

MERRICK COUNTY, Neb. -- Authorities in central Nebraska said they noticed a suspicious vehicle in Clarks that matched a vehicle from a Wednesday night pursuit that was stopped for the safety of the public.

Around noon, Merrick County Sheriff's Office said another pursuit started. After evading law enforcement for several miles the man, 40-year-old Joshua Oels, crashed into a ravine.

The Sheriff's Office said Oels, of Custer County, was arrested after evading police for several miles throughout rural Merrick County. It was reported that Oels was the involved in a pursuit through Central City the night before. 

Authorities said that being chased through several agricultural fields, Oels crashed into a ravine in rural Polk County. Oels then fled on foot for a short distance until he was arrested by Deputies. 

Oels was charged operating a motor vehicle to avoid arrest, willful reckless driving, obstructing a peace officer, driving under revocation, and multiple infractions.

Merrick County Sheriff's Office also noted that while arrested Oels, a field caught on fire because of the vehicle's hot exhaust. Clarks Fire Department, with the help of donated farm equipment, was able to disc the field and extinguish the fire quickly before it spread.